Cheryl Delsignore, EAW president

"present state of debate is very alarming"
economics plays a very great part in what we do every day
"Worcester's not the same as Lexington and Shrewsbury"
Worcester has funded their schools less than 1% above what they are required to; state average is 14%
devestating to let them go; it's a challenge
"we don't need...the teachers know what we need"
need more teachers, lower class sizes
to address poverty, homelessness
need a longer day
400 per guidance councilors; national average is 100
"we're cutting all of our business programs!"
"we need much more in our schools than math and reading"
"you need to step up and start acting...we've got to stop the flood of dollars going away from our schools"
"if your kids don't go to schools in the Worcester Public Schools, then why not?"
"we need the resources to make this the best public school system it can be"
enthusiastic applause
I should note as well that teachers rallied this afternoon on the Common before meeting with the legislative delegation.