Royal Oak rally urges stimulus money be used to save jobs

Slideshow: Members, parents and students turn out to urge Royal Oak school board members to use federal stimulus money to save jobs. From the very young to the very old, the message was the same—keep quality school employees where they belong. 100 people showed up to lend their support, including members from Southfield, who served hotdogs and drinks to the crowd. The group also heard from Michigan Common Cause Executive Director Frank Houston and Oakland County Commissioner David Woodward and, who told them that the stimulus funds mean “not one job should be lost in Royal Oak.”

100 people gathered outside a school board meeting in Royal Oak to push the district to put federal stimulus dollars where they have the most impact for students and employees. President Obama and Education Secretary Arne Duncan have repeatedly said the funds should save thousands of jobs, but districts haven’t always heard the message. The group later told school board members that keeping quality employees in the schools is critical to making sure Royal Oak students get the best education possible. Members were joined at the rally by parents, students and local elected leaders, who spoke about the need to unite as an educational community and speak with a common voice. Oakland County Commissioner David Woodward told the crowd that the federal money means “not one job should be lost in Royal Oak schools.” Members of the Southfield Education Association showed their support by serving hot dogs to those gathered. Additional rallies are scheduled in other districts throughout the state in the coming weeks.

Updated: May 18, 2009 2:35 PM