AUSTIN, Texas — Over 1,100 Texans gathered in a protest organized by Save Texas Schools, demanding increased funding for public education. The demonstrators, including public school officials, educators, and parents, called for better resources to support public schools across the state.
Katy Fulkerson, a consultant in a nearby school district, emphasized the importance of advocating for children.
“We need to have a voice for our children. They don’t know what’s going on. We are that voice to make a difference for them,” Fulkerson said.
Parents and children from the surrounding Austin school districts joined in the chants and protests, expressing concerns about their future in public schools. Sarah Fiorenza, a parent and wife of students and faculty in Austin ISD, voiced her worries about the potential impact of the school choice voucher bill on her child’s educational opportunities.
“It just feels like we’re taking money from the schools where we need this. From public schools,” Fiorenza said.
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The protest began at the First United Methodist Church on Lavaca Street and proceeded to the front steps of the Capitol. Austin Weeks, Director of Save Texas Schools, criticized the focus on vouchers and privatization.
“Greg Abbott has made the story all about vouchers and privatization and what they call school choice. The real story is the robbery of school funding,” Weeks said, claiming that $10 billion has been diverted from public schools since 2019.
On Wednesday, Governor Greg Abbott announced that Senate Bill 2 and school vouchers would not reduce funding for public schools. He explained that there are separate funds for public schools and school choice.
“The argument being made by those against school choice would be the same as, when you’re taking money to build roads, you’re taking away money for public schools. When you’re taking money to build power, you’re taking away money for public schools. That’s completely false,” Abbott said.
Save Texas Schools will be hosting another rally on April 5.