CLAY COUNTY, Fla. – A group of students at Orange Park High School protested after school hours on Wednesday to make their voices heard on the potential cuts to state funding for advanced educational programs.
A school district spokesperson said the demonstrations took place after school hours and did not interfere with any students’ class time.
On Tuesday, the Jacksonville City Council voted on an emergency motion to pass a resolution opposing the state funding cuts, tied to Senate Bill 2510 and House Bill 5101. However, the motion failed with only 10 votes, when it needed 13 to pass.
That resolution aimed to support state funding for education acceleration programs like Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and Dual Enrollment, which are in danger if the state funding cuts get approved.
“It’s just, it’s obviously an effort to control people’s it’s easier to control the and educate the uneducated, and they’re just trying to leave us uneducated by cutting every single form education, like books, funding,” Sylvia McCraine, a student in an advanced program, said.
Despite pushback from school administrators, students said they had been planning the walkout for a week, as they wanted to make a statement.
“We were having a discussion in one of our classes, and our teacher was kind of informing us about the 5101 bill, which we know got tabled,” Student Presley Decker said. “We kind of just got inspired to stay, take a stand, because we don’t really have a voice, but this is our opportunity.”
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The students didn’t only walk out, they said they’re also sending letters to lawmakers asking for support in their fight for a better education system.
“The only people who are going to fight for education are the educated people, and if so, if we don’t say something now, nobody’s going to take initiative to help us when we need it,” Student Caroline White said.