Quotable: Education Rally at Sachem East

Thursday night's education rally at Sachem High School East drew more than 2,000 people, many of which were outside listening to the event over loudspeakers. 

Sachem Patch caught up with a bunch throughout the evening:

"I'm here to oppose tax caps and budget cuts.  I'm very opposed to Governor Cuomo's attempt to turn over the Triborough Ruling. I believe there could be creative ways to fund education programs.  I feel it's completely undemocratic to force me, as a taxpayer to pass a budget in my own community where they need a 60 percent majority.  I feel like it's an infringement on local taxpayers' rights." — Jesse Martin, 43, teacher at Lindenhurst High School

"People don't understand the programs that are going to be cut, like clubs, these are the things that colleges are looking for to distinguish students.  How are they going to stand out?  It's about the children; what are the kids supposed to do in the afternoon?  There won't be any more after-school programs." — Fred Bisogno, 43, teacher at Huntington High School

"It's scary right now for many different reasons, mainly for students.  The schools are so stretched as it is right now, to cut things further, where we're headed is not a good place.  That's why we're all here tonight to make sure that doesn't happen.  Hopefully, the message gets sent." — Jamie Skaggs, 39, teacher at Comsewogue High School. 

"Basically, I think the budget is targeting the wrong people.  Wall Street and bank degradation are the reasons we're here, not because of education.  We need to have smart young people.  I'm not quite sure why we can't tax people who are getting the most out of society.  I'm a senior teacher; if Cuomo's budget goes through it won't have any impact on me, but some of the best younger teachers I know will get cut, which means larger classes for students." — Bob Smullen, 53, teacher at Commack High School

"I don't think the public workers caused this.  It's highly unfair taking it out on them and the students.  It's like killing the golden goose.  We support all these people who make so much money in the state that are kind of ingrates.  The infrastructure supports our businesses; yet, they don't support the people who support them, and keep them healthy and strong." — Karen Smullen, 65, teacher at East Woods School

"I teach music theory which could be cut. We're trying to start a piano instruction program which may not run if the cuts go through." — Steve Mahr, 50, music teacher at Patchogue-Medford High School

"Art and music only needs one credit to graduate.  It's disregarding students majoring in art and music who need more than one credit to get into art or music school.  I'm concerned for students I had, and students I have now.  I have students planning on going to art school, and next year they will all be going to study hall if they have no classes to take.  You can only stretch a dollar so far." — Nora Franzese, 39, art teacher at Canaan Elementary School in Pat-Med

"I think the rally's great, and I hope all the legislators are listening to us, because we will be voting. Kids can't suffer any more; we've had enough cuts.  I'm an art teacher. They've been cutting the arts; I think the kids need it.  I think they should put some taxes on the extremely rich.  Why should they get away with it?  We are the people. We should have a voice." — Susan Plunket, 61, art teacher at William Floyd High School

Shana Braff contributed to this story.