Verdigris School parents, not the teachers, going to next week's teacher rally

Several school districts across the state decided to cancel classes for next week's education rally at the state capitol. <br><br>One district decided not to send its teachers, but to send parents

Thursday, February 6th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Several school districts across the state decided to cancel classes for next week's education rally at the state capitol.

One district decided not to send its teachers, but to send parents instead. News on Six anchor Terry Hood says Verdigris Schools are keeping the doors open on February 12th, but the district will be represented next week at the capitol.

That's because the parent teacher organization is sending a delegation of parents to represent them. Verdigris hasnâ€™t been cut as much as other districts, but it has lost about $100,000 in the last year. School officials say they've cut all the corners they can through attrition and holding down spending. Less state money next year might mean fewer programs and fewer people.

Verdigris parents know the school's problems first-hand. They've raised about $50,000 to give the school's budget a boost. Now they're trying to get at least one parent from every grade to go to Oklahoma City next week.

Bonnie Montgomery, Verdigris PTO President, "I would say any parent grandparent concerned community member I think they need to be there it's well worth it."