Students protest budget cuts

Facebook alerts and text messages rally the crowds By Beth Kalet Vernon - On Thursday, April 1, almost every student at Vernon Township High School protested against the impending budget cuts, which will force the district to lay off numerous teachers and potentially cut programs. Vernon students heeded a statewide call on Facebook to join an April Schools Day sit-out. They prepared hand-made signs and banners, special T-shirts and placards and planned their actions via text messages and Facebook. As soon as they arrived on school grounds in the morning, students filed onto the track area and staged a peaceful protest. The administration was prepared; police were on hand, but did not come into the grounds, report students who participated. Thursday was a planned half-day; those who did not participate remained in the school building. A similar demonstration was held at the Glen Meadow Middle School. Check back online for updates and read more in depth in the upcoming edition of The Advertiser-News. See More Pictures of the Event at VTHS Sit Out