Protesters line sidewalk before town hall meeting

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Protesters lined the sidewalk leading to a town hall meeting held Friday by Thom Tillis, speaker of the N.C. House of Representatives. Some 20 sign-carrying protestors lined a sidewalk leading to the front door of the 1909 courthouse, criticizing Tillis for budget cuts that they said led to more than 1,800 teachers and teacher assistants losing their jobs statewide. The demonstration was led by Progress NC, which was described as a nonpartisan, middle-of-the-road group. (Larry Penkava/The Randolph Guide)

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February 9, 2012

Larry Penkava Staff Writer The Randolph Guide Thu Feb 09, 2012, 11:40 AM EST

ASHEBORO — Protesters greeted Thom Tillis, speaker of the N.C. House of Representatives, Friday afternoon prior to a Legislative Town Hall meeting at the old courthouse on Worth Street.

Some 20 sign-carrying protestors lined a sidewalk leading to the front door of the 1909 courthouse, criticizing Tillis for budget cuts that they said led to more than 1,800 teachers and teacher assistants losing their jobs statewide. The demonstration was led by Progress NC, which was described as a nonpartisan, middle-of-the-road group.

"We want to keep the state moving forward," said Katy Munger of Progress NC. "We're particularly concerned with education."

Munger said state budget cuts by the Republican-controlled N.C. Senate and House of Representatives had meant the loss of 51 teachers or teacher assistants for Randolph County this year. She said that, depending on the school district, reduced funds could mean cutting back on extracurricular activities such as clubs, sports, after-hour programs and teacher development.

Gerrick Brenner, executive director of Progress NC, said 4,300 classroom positions have been eliminated.

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Inside, during the Town Hall meeting, Tillis told a packed upstairs meeting room that "change was expected" after the Republicans gained control of both chambers of the Legislature for the first time in 140 years.

"It's a different world now," he said.

Tillis said he's been holding town hall meetings across the state so people can ask him about those changes. "We talk policy rather than politics."

He gave two rules for those with comments or questions during the meeting: limit the time on the floor and refrain from applause of boos.

In opening comments, Tillis said legislators faced a $3 billion shortfall and were forced to find cuts. He said education makes up 55 percent of the state budget and health care comes in second at 25 percent.

He said the budget that was passed was vetoed by Gov. Bev Perdue but the General Assembly overrode her veto with a super-majority.

When asked by Kathy Fleetwood, herself a teacher, why legislation couldn't be crafted to help teachers, Tillis replied that there was "the concept that I hate teachers. Traditional public education continues to be the backbone" of education in the state. But, he said, there's a "vast disparity" in success rates among school districts that he said is unrelated to the amount of funding those districts receive. He said there were 16 school districts below the average per-pupil spending average but were "well ahead of the graduation rate. It may be how the money is spent."

Tillis suggested using merit compensation based on teacher outcomes.

Other issues raised during the meeting included the legalization of medical marijuana, immigration, the poultry industry, teacher unions and the possibly of requiring photo identification to vote.

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