It's that time of the year, when teachers gather at Asilomar

Teacher leaders with the California Teachers association are in town, and Tuesday they rallied in support of Prop. 30, the governor's tax measure, and against Prop. 32, a measure to change campaign finance rules by banning corporations and unions from contributing to candidates.

Joining teachers in speaking out against Prop. 32 was Beverly Bean, president of the Monterey Peninsula League of Women Voters (pictured in the photo below).

(I couldn't be there, but CTA spokesman Mike Myslinski provided me with photos and transcripts of participants speeches-- and apologies for misspelling his name in an earlier version of the blog)

Carol Rodrigues, special education teacher at the Salinas Elementary School District, spoke in support of Prop. 30. She talked about the challenges her students are facing and how sometimes the only stable element in their lives is school. What would happen if the schools themselves were falling apart, she wondered.

She spoke about increasing class sizes in her district -- kindergarten classes of almost 30 students. She spoke of decreased time with students. Decreased library time.

"Our district was lucky enough to have hired 5 music teachers about 5 years ago. Next year, if things go according to plan, we will have one. For the entire district. Our district was looking at having 5 furlough days this coming year. We have been able to limit furlough days to one, and it will be on a day when students are not at school. That’s the good news. But, and this is crucial, if the Governor’s tax initiative doesn’t pass, we will need to go back and look at more furlough days. Days which will come out of student days."

Dean Vogel, president of CTA, spoke against Prop. 32 and launched a statewide campaign against it. "Prop. 32 is not what it seems," he said in prepared remarks. "It’s a blatant attempt by corporate special interests to silence the political voices of teachers on critical issues like class sizes, testing, and the fight for adequate school funding. The teachers here now with tape on their mouths are a reminder of what this measure wants to really do."

Here's a more detailed explanation of Prop.32.