Portage students picket in support of teachers during stalled contract negotiations

[UrbScotty]

It was a pep rally atmosphere outside the Portage Public Schools administration building Thursday morning.

But the 200-plus students who were chanting and waving signs were not getting pumped up for Friday's Portage Central versus Portage Northern playoff football game. They were picketing in support of their teachers, who are involved in stalled contract negotiations with the Portage school board.

The energetic crowd of students chanted: "We love our teachers," while waving signs that read, "We love and respect our teachers. So should you." Many of the students wore bright green -- the color of shirts teachers have been wearing to protest their lack of contract. Students took turns leading chants and cheers into a megaphone, as cars beeped while pulling into the parking lot.

The students planned to protest for 10 minutes -- although many of them protested longer -- representing the extra 10 minutes that have been added to the school day. Teachers are working longer days after the state increased student days to 175, which added 10 minutes to each day.

http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2014/10/portage_students_protest_lack.html