More than 200 protesters gathered in front of the federal building downtown Friday evening. They rallied after the Arizona Supreme Court struck down the Invest In Ed measure, Proposition 207, earlier this week.
Invest In Ed was kicked off the ballot because the Court decided the wording was not accurate. The measure was expected to raise about $690 million in additional funding for Arizona public and charter schools, by taxing the highest earning Arizonans. The decision was disappointing for supporters.
"The universal reaction is anger, frustration and outrage. But I think the message about here is that we are still invested, we are nowhere near being done," said Montserrat Caballero, a co-chair for the Invest In ED Campaign in Tucson.
But supporters say the fight to keep funding in public schools is far from over. Proposition 305 is on the November ballot, which would expand the school voucher program. Supporters say it would give more children the chance to attend private schools. However, Invest In Ed supporters say that this proposition will lower enrollment in public schools, and would ultimately take a significant amount of funding.
"I am here getting out word that folks need to vote 'No' on Prop. 305 to keep our public funding, our public tax dollars, in our public education system," said Stephanie Hamilton, a parent with three chilrdren in the Tucson Unified School District.
As of now, Red for Ed supporters say, they don't have a plan to advance that ballot measure.
