Poway Teachers Decry Possible Salary Cuts - San Diego 6

Poway Teachers Decry Possible Salary Cuts - San Diego 6

POWAY - The Poway Unified School District is considering cutting teachers' pay and reducing the school year to bring the budget under control.  In a heated meeting Monday night, Poway teachers gave voice to frustrations over what they call a "broken system."

"You can't tell me that's not going to affect their education somehow," said kindergarten teacher Naomi Luckaszewski.  She says she can't afford to keep paying her classroom costs out of pocket.  "I really want to do that science project, but we don't have the money for that."

More than 300 Poway Unified teachers bought special shirts reading: Excellence Costs -- Not On Our Backs.  They're protesting a proposed 7.5% pay cut and cutting the school day by 5 days.

"No longer can I recommend to be a teacher in the state of CA," said teacher Phil Factor.  "That's what hurts, that's what hurts!"

District leaders such as Superintendent Dr. Donald Phillips say they don't have a choice.  "We're not going to be able to do all we want to do, everything we've done in the past."