Many members of the Spokane Education Association and East Valley Education Association voted to participate in Wednesday’s walkout to highlight the Legislature’s failure to comply with their constitutional obligation to amply fund public education.

A person’s reason for voting for or against a walkout is their individual right. These are not easy decisions by any means, and have become an emotional and controversial issue among our members. Even though Central Valley educators as a unit did not meet the quorum in order to validate a vote, I support the members of the SEA and EV associations who did vote to walk out. Some of our members, along with me, planned to attend the May 27 rally.

With all that said, does the community understand that the walkouts are not against the districts? The target of the actions is the Legislature. Statewide, educators, parents and students have sent thousands of emails, made thousands of phone calls, attended legislative town hall meetings and have traveled to Olympia to advocate for public education. The legislators are not listening.

Vicki Arnold

President, Central Valley Education Association

Spokane Valley