As the state Legislature began its special session in Olympia Nov. 28, parents, teachers and Tahoma School District staff rallied against proposed cuts to education spending.

The rally, held at the Four Corners in Maple Valley, was designed to bring awareness to the community about how spending cuts would impact their local schools. Those in attendance at the rally also hoped that it would alert politicians from their district.

“We want to send a message to our legislators that the cuts can’t go any further,” said Kristin Edlund, who works in the Teaching and Learning department in the Tahoma School District administrative office. “Especially with the increased accountability for both teachers and students, we can’t be held to these increasing high standards if education (funding) is being cut.”

One of the proposals made would cut the school year by five days, which would also reduce teachers’ salaries, an idea Edlund thinks is counterproductive.

“It’s not good for kids,” she said. “Those schools are designed for a 180 day school year.”

She also added that jobs would be lost as a result.

Shawn Sheller, a teacher at the Tahoma Middle School, expressed dismay at the inverse proportion of funding compared to the academic achievements by the school district.

“We’re (one of ) the most efficient school systems,” she said. “If you look at our funding compared to other states, it doesn’t compare.”

Sheller also explained that as the state continues to cut education spending, the school districts are forced to rely more and more on levies, a system which she said is not practical and ultimately unsustainable.

Scott Mitchell, president of the Tahoma Education Association, stated that concerned residents should contact their legislators and express their concerns about education cuts. Like Edlund, he is not in favor of the reduced school year proposal.

“The problem with the cuts is that kids need to be in school, especially now,” he said.

Mitchell stated that the half percent increase to the state sales tax was a “viable” alternative.

Among those attending the rally was Laurel Menard, principal of Lake Wilderness Elementary. According to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, Lake Wilderness had 972 students in May making it one of the largest elementary schools in the state, Menard said.

“I think just more (people) should know about what is going on in our legislature,” Menard said.

Cuts, she said, would lead to “larger class size, less time for professional development” for teachers.

“We’re only seeing the beginning if we continue down this road,” she said. “It’s going to be difficult for us to provide education.”