‘We have to make the cuts - it’s simple math’

Danielle Ahrens, who spoke on behalf of Bonner and Boundary county Republicans and the Bonner County Republican Women, told lawmakers, “I’ve been PTA president twice and I do understand the value of education. But these are hard times.” She said she backs Supt. Luna’s reform plan, including more online classes and giving students laptop computers. “We also recommend cutting research and development funds for the college and university systems,” she said. “These things can be done in the private sector.” Said Ahrens, “We don’t have the money, we have to make the cuts. … It’s simple math.”

Tina Williams, a teacher at West Minico Middle School in Paul, opposed Luna’s plan, particularly in how it would raise class sizes. She testified, “At West Minico, the average class size is 27 with some as high as 35. I teach science - it’s a safety issue. If I give them a hands-on lab, they need smaller classes, not larger ones.”

Stephanie Archuleta, a 6th grade teacher from Caldwell, said, “I don’t know of one teacher who is opposed to change, one who doesn’t like technology or what it can do to enhance the learning process, or one who wants their students to fail.”