ROCHESTER, Minn. – After a November poll rejected a technology levy on Rochester Public Schools, students, teachers, parents and ISAIAH came together to create a forum to explain the need for education funding.
ISAIAH is an interfaith coalition dedicated to addressing community issues.
More than 100 people attended the forum to discuss and support public education.
“There's a lot of people here who are excited about what's going on in the school and looking forward to more opportunities,” said Kim Harris, a Rochester Public Schools parent and public education advocate. We need to be more visible and more vocal.”
The group discussed the high cost of public education, as much as $205,000, to educate a child through 12th grade. Part of the discussion included an explanation of how more funding from taxpayers can go further to support students.
Emily West, a senior at Mayo High School, said she attended Lincoln Kindergarten through Grade 8 Selective Elementary School before entering high school, where she had the opportunity to study STEM.
Professor West said: “If all students have the opportunity to gain this kind of experience and discover what interests them at a young age, they will be much better prepared for life after graduation.” says.
Ms Harris said: “I don't want them to have to raise money for every activity they do at school. I want them to be an option for classes and all the opportunities they deserve.'' ”.
For both Harris and West, more funding for public education would give students more access to education than they currently have.
