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WEST JORDAN -- Hundreds of students walked out of class Thursday to protest cuts that will likely eliminate hundreds of teachers' jobs. Students of at least three high schools participated in this demonstration.
Students protest at district offices
About 700 students total took to the streets, hoping to spread their message: They don't want any teacher layoffs or increased class sizes.
Students certainly had numbers on their side this morning. They poured out of class at West Jordan, Riverton and Copper Hills high schools.
West Jordan kids walked onto Jordan District property, armed with signs and lots of energy. There, students chanted and cheered.
Many understand the significance of the budget cuts. That is why they decided to participate in this district-wide walk out, even though they will get an unexcused absence.
Organizer and senior high school student Phil Brown said, "It is our future. Like my younger brothers and sisters, everyone who I care about at this school is going to be affected by this."
"I am really proud that we have such a large showing here, and that we have a bunch of educated students who are willing to come here and stand in the cold to support our teachers," said senior Brayden Jensen.
Jordan School District spokeswoman Melinda Colton reacted to the protest by saying, "We appreciate their passion. We appreciate it that they love their teachers. I think students will get behind any cause that impacts them and that is a good thing. I just think that their efforts are misdirected. I think the best way they can show passion for their teachers is to be sitting in class right now."
Students stage walkouts
Earlier in the day, 300 students walked out of Jordan High School. At Copper Hills High School, approximately 200 students participated, including junior high school students.
The principal at Copper Hills said he understood why the students walked out but did not condone it.
"It's hard to deal with. We don't know where we're going to turn next," Principal Todd Quarnberg said. "I've never felt a time when I've been as fearful as I am now."
Now that the equalization bill between the Canyons and Jordan school districts has failed, Jordan's school board will likely have to lay off nearly 500 people; 250 of which will be teachers. There will also be increased class sizes and programs that will have to be cut.
Students, parents ask for property tax increase
Some say they're ready to defend raising property taxes to maybe prevent layoffs from happening.
"I think it's worth an extra $10, $12 a month for good educators to be at our schools," Brown said.
Parent David Peterson said, "If it's $5, $10, whatever it is. I lost my job. I lost my business in the economy too. I found a job; I got lucky. But there's more to it than money. It's the students."
Still, district officials say a tax increase isn't the right solution for everyone.
"We have a lot of older taxpayers in this district who have no children in this system. We have taxpayers who have never had children in the system," said Colton.
District officials said they are listening to the students. The superintendent actually visited with four students to discuss how they are going to fix this $30 million shortfall.
Still, the district continues to say it will have to wait until the Legislature gets out to figure out a plan. Come March, Jordan could be facing even more than a $30 million deficit.
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Story compiled with contributions from Nicole Gonzales, Mary Richards and Randall Jeppesen.
