Second-grader Alex Vierhout reads handprinted cut-outs at a rally against Arizona’s education cuts. Thousands of students, teachers and advocates assembled at the capitol building in Phoenix March 4 in protest. - Bryan Kinkade/ The Lumberjack

As a joint collaboration between grades K through 20, thousands of teachers, students, family members and supporters of Arizona’s education system gathered in front of the capitol building on March 4 to protest for students’ rights to affordable education.

Student lobbyists from Arizona’s three major universities met with lawmakers in the morning to discuss the future of the state’s education and fight against future budget cuts, which are proposed at $308 million for fiscal year 2010. Last fiscal year’s cuts to education exceeded $140 million.

“I don’t think the universities can afford anymore cuts; we’re already stretched thin,” said Michael Slugocki, a board chairman for Arizona Students’ Association. “We’ve cut the skin, we’ve cut the muscle, and we’re digging into the bone now.”

Several NAU students met with as many politicians as they could, hoping to lessen the effects of budget cuts on education. The groups also wanted to increase communication with the representatives and express appreciation to those who opposed the budget cuts.

“I think that lobbying was a powerful gesture, but I still get the impression that students don’t have as strong a voice as we could in the mind of most politicians,” said Chip Bailey-Gates, a junior political science major.

Though the Republican majority representing the state is often considered unsupportive of public education, those who oppose the budget cuts spoke their mind to the student lobbyists.

“I am a strong believer in education,” said District 2 State Representative Jack Brown during a meeting with a group of NAU students. “Every kid we can help get an education, the better off we all are.”

Throughout the day, education advocacy organizations represented the mass of teachers who may lose their jobs from the budget cuts. Some represented statewide education, while others were part of local Parent and Teacher Associations.

“Shame on us for putting our kids last on the list,” said Margie Lane, a mother of two. “My senior wants to be a K-9 unit police officer; I hope she will rely on herself and her abilities and talents (rather) than relying on a group of people (to) decide what she can or cannot do.”

The group of people to decide would be the legislature, and many of the representatives believe in the importance of Arizona’s education system.

“Education is critical to the future of our children and of the state and of the nation,” said District 2 Senator Albert Hale. “In a family situation, when you are in these types of economic conditions where there is less money coming in, you don’t cut food or water to your children, you look for other sources of money.”

Also during the day, Gov. Jan Brewer held a joint meeting with the House of Representatives and Senate to explain her position on the federal stimulus package and her plan to bring Arizona’s budget into positive figures.

“I’ve already cut $500 million in my first days of office,” Brewer said. “More cuts will be painful, but must be done.”

Brewer announced Arizona would be receiving the stimulus package and explained five ways to fix the economic deficit. She wants to reform the rainy-day funds, stop adding or creating programs the state cannot afford, evaluate the effects of budget cuts, reform and modernize the state’s tax structure, and create a temporary tax increase.