Students protest Baltimore School for the Arts teacher cuts
Students of the Baltimore School for the Arts protested Friday morning against the elimination of staff members next year. It seems that even one of the most prestigious schools in the city, and most renowned in the country, isn't immune from funding shortfalls that are being felt throughout the district. The group of students marched to City Hall for the "fair treatment of teachers," displaying signs of support for their educators.
The BSA released a statement Friday addressing the cuts and the student protest:
"The Baltimore School for the Arts received a reduced budget allocation this year, and, unfortunately, the school had no choice but to eliminate three full-time positions: two teachers (one academic and one arts) and one administrative assistant.
Eliminating positions held by three valued people who contributed so much to their students was a difficult decision, one that saddens all of us. There was no other choice. At the same time, we are preserving the three courses that were affected by these cuts through funding from the BSA Foundation that will be used to support part-time faculty to teach those classes. The curriculum at the School remains the same.
One of the most beautiful things about BSA is that our students love and respect their teachers‹so this has hit them very hard, and we understand why they and their parents are very upset about the loss of the three positions. We know that we are not the only city school facing these cuts, and that these cuts are extremely difficult for all teachers and students in the schools that have been affected. We will maintain the traditional excellence of BSA."
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Comments
My daughter is a 10th grader at BSA and is one of the organizers of the protest at City Hall today. She would be more than willing to answer your questions. Her name is Alexandra Cruz-Wright and her cell phone number is 443-935-2539.
Posted by: Michelle Diane Wright | May 13, 2011 1:47 PM
It would be lovely if they could now give the protest a rest since they've been at it since 9 AM and it is now almost 4 PM. SOME of us have finals to study for, you know........
Posted by: Joe Smith | May 13, 2011 3:51 PM
Our daughter is also a student at BSFA, also in the 10th grade. These are brave and pure hearted young people whose education is the best investment we can make in the future. We are very proud of her for joining Ms. Cruz-Wright and the other students standing up for their school and their teachers today. It's a shame that they were not permitted to enter the school building at the end of the day to get their assignments and belongings for the weekend.
Posted by: Kristin Kight | May 13, 2011 6:33 PM
Our daughter is also a student at BSFA, also in the 10th grade. These are brave and pure hearted young people whose education is the best investment we can make in the future. We are very proud of her for joining Ms. Cruz-Wright and the other students standing up for their school and their teachers today. It's a shame that they were not permitted to enter the school building at the end of the day to get their assignments and belongings for the weekend.
Posted by: Kristin Kight | May 13, 2011 6:39 PM
While the students of the BSA do understand the courage and care that the protesting students displayed, we wish that they would have used anther venue and perhaps another location to display their cause. Classes were disrupted all day by the constant honking of horns. Makign it hard for the kids who cared to be in school to learn. Also when the rambunctious crowd returned to BSA the noise continued WHICH WAS DURING A RECITAL! A poor helpless
Posted by: unknown | May 13, 2011 8:04 PM
While the students of the BSA do understand the courage and care that the protesting students displayed, we wish that they would have used anther venue and perhaps another location to display their cause. Classes were disrupted all day by the constant honking of horns. Makign it hard for the kids who cared to be in school to learn. Also when the rambunctious crowd returned to BSA the noise continued WHICH WAS DURING A RECITAL! A poor helpless
Posted by: unknown | May 13, 2011 8:05 PM
Im a student there and I think that it was stupid because it was already decided. That protest made us seem like spoiled brats!! other schools lost like 10-15 staff members/teachers. We lost THREE. thats why they get replaced. Its not a big deal. I know the teachers were amazing and all but they aren't gonna be job-less forever. They have other offers. I felt ashamed to see this.
Posted by: Kiwi | May 13, 2011 9:51 PM
As a response to kiwi, Students were not protesting the cuts on BSA. They were protesting the cuts for students of ALL schools. Not just BSA. Learn what your talking about before you talk about it.
Posted by: Anonymous | May 15, 2011 9:18 PM
@ Kiwi: Slavery "was decided" and in practice but our ancestors fought to be free. Segregation "was decided" and our grandparents fought against it. Jim Crow laws "were decided" but people fought against them. With each of the above people said they were stupid, they wish they would just shut up and sit down because they are making too much noise. So what, other people were being treated like animals and spat on because of the color of their skin. So what, they will get used to it or they will get over it sooner or later.They felt the same way you do and talked about those that spoke out and even lost their lives to make the wrongs right,not only for them but for those after them.
The students did not, by any stretch of the imagination, make the students at BSA "seem like spoiled brats!!" It showed courage and strength. It showed that they believe in fighting against the ills in society that not only hurt them but others. So, before you decide to put someone else down for fighting for what is right, look around you. Everything you have access to is because someone at some point in time had to fight to get it put into place. Peace and Blessings, Me.
Posted by: Me | May 16, 2011 6:51 AM