April 13, 2018
Rep. York says the bill 'SUCKS' but not as bad as Bevin's; advises teachers to support override
Sen. Jones tells Lawrence rally that Democrats cannot support the override, wants more budget talks...
Teachers in Lawrence County Kentucky chanted “vote them out” during an after school rally on the Lawrence County High School football field Wednesday.
A LIVELY CROWD GATHERED AT LUKE VANRNEY, JR. STADIUM TO PROTEST CUTS IN EDUCATION BUDGET Photo/ WCHS
Local K.E.A. Union Representative Scott Osborn told the crowd of public employees that passed pension reforms and proposed budget cuts in Frankfurt could hurt students in the county like senior Bradley Copley.
LC Teacher President Scott Osborn
“I really support education,” Copley said, “I really do. I support it a lot because I want a future.”
Copley only had 25 days left to graduate, but said he still cares because his mom teaches at nearby Fallsburg Elementary.
“She’s down there more than you think,” Copley said, “you say they work eight hours a day. They really don’t. They’re working 12.”
Superintendent Robbie Fletcher said the pension battle is now in the hands of attorneys with attorney general Andy Beshear suing to block the implementation of Senate Bill 151, but net budget cuts are still on the table.
Rep. Jill York said that, although House Bill 200--the budget bill the governor vetoed this week--"sucks" it is "probably the best deal we can hope for right now."Also, Representative Jill York said that, although House Bill 200--the budget bill the governor vetoed this week--"sucks" it is "probably the best deal we can hope for right now." She advised supporting an override of this budget bill.
Senator Ray Jones, however, advised against overiding the governor's veto, since he and his party cannot support this budget, "a budget that doesn't go far enough in providing the resources and services our teachers and first responders need to do their jobs." He also stated that 
State Sen. Ray Jones said "...If you want a war on public education, just follow the roadmap these folks have been following" referring to current national and state Republican leadership."everything teachers have worked for in their pensions is going to be taken away. If you want a war on public education, just follow the roadmap these folks have been following" referring to current national and state Republican leadership.
Dr. Fletcher confessed to voting for Governor Bevin, but " I can assure you that won't happen again."
He also went on to share how ambivalent he was about "being told to support a bad budget."
LC Teacher President Scott Osborn addressed the crowd Wednesday
Lawrence County Teachers President and high school instructor Scott Osborn had this to say: "We are fighting back against a war on public education--and that's what it is. We have a governor who rode to victory on out-of-state funding from his buddies the Koch brothers, ALEC, and other super-wealthy elites. They want to cash in on the charter school craze, which they see as a business opportunity, pure and simple. Therefore, the governor does their bidding. The House budget the governor just vetoed removed all funding for charter schools, and that's the main reason he vetoed."
More quotes from Osborn:
"...What I want Lawrence Countians to realize is that their local school, their local football team, all the public services provided to this community, the very future of this community--all are endangered by the current leadership in Frankfort.
The governor's proposed budget would CLOSE many school systems in 1-3 years, and that includes Lawrence County schools.
"...So I want Lawrence Countians to picture it:
* No more Blaine Elementary School.
* No more Fallsburg Elementary.
* No more pre-school.
* No more Friday night football.
* No more educational or extra-curricular opportunities for our young people.
"...Imagine Lawrence County after its largest employer closes its doors. It would be devastating."
Osborn closes with:
"...That's what we are fighting for--our very existence. The future of our kids. The future of our community. So, if you want to join the fight, contact your legislators--from the Governor to Senator Jones to Representative Carney to Represenative York--all day tomorrow and Saturday! Tell them to do right by small local governments and school districts! And if you can join us at the Capitol tomorrow, you are more than welcome! Join the fight for Lawrence County and small communities across the Commonwealth!"
Comments
That was kind of what I was getting at with my question I'm not saying that football is more important what I didn't understand is how this would affect it. Blaine & Fallsburg neither one are out here getting hand out after hand out of extracurricular money and they manage to have teams.