By Kelly Mae Ross
Teachers from Roanoke and several surrounding counties gathered March 1 for a rally that they hoped would send a wake-up call to members of the General Assembly and Gov. Bob McDonnell.
State Sen. John Edwards (D-Roanoke) spoke out against the actions of many of his colleagues in Richmond. Edwards told the rally that this is the most anti-public school General Assembly and governor the state has seen in years.
The teachers at the rally said they were particularly concerned about a bill that would cut teacher pension plans. Another bill would eliminate continuing contracts for teachers.
The teachers said they were also unhappy with cuts to public education called for in the state budget.
The Roanoke rally was the latest in a string of events that education associations across the state have organized this year to protest the General Assembly and the governor.