Teachers ring Capitol in protest…

Hundreds of teachers and their supporters are ringing the state Capitol, many with red scarves tied across their mouths to signify their voices being silenced, in protest over the passage yesterday of SB 1108 and today’s passage of SB 1110, the first two bills in state schools Supt. Tom Luna’s reform package; the third bill remains stalled in a Senate committee. There’s loud music playing, and the human chain is scheduled to be followed by a rally in Capitol Park at 5:30; it’s one of a series of after-school events and rallies scheduled across the state today to protest the passage of the bills. Here’s a link to the Idaho Education Association’s list of events . At the Capitol, protesters are periodically chanting, “Respect, Fairness, Voice.”