NAMPA -- The protests against Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna's education overhaul intensified today.
Hundreds of Idaho high school students left their classrooms and took to the streets to have their voices heard.
Students were reported to have walked out of classes in Boise, Caldwell, Meridian, Nampa, American Falls and Pocatello. About 100 students gathered on the second floor of the Idaho Capitol as part of the protests.
Luna has proposed several changes including boosting technology in the classroom, requiring students to take online classes, increasing class sizes, cutting 770 teaching jobs and increasing the minimum pay for teachers.
Students heard about the walk-out via fliers, social media networks and text messages.
At 8:30 a.m., more than 150 students marched out of their classes and lined the streets in front of Nampa High School.
The student protesters stood shoulder to shoulder, chanting and waving signs, hoping Luna and state lawmakers will take notice.
"I think Luna's probably getting the clue that it's not right and we're all against it," said Nampa High sophomore Tyler Mager.
Many of the students don't like the part of the plan that requires them to take online classes.
"Our generation is just on the computer playing around, they're not going to want to be doing school on there too," said Nampa High senior Alamdra Vell.
They also don't want to see their class sizes increase.
"If you're struggling or if you just don't get it, you'll just have to get it or ask someone else because your teacher will probably be busy with 30-40 other students before you," said Mager.
Students decided to walk out after the state Senate passed two of the education reform bills last Thursday.
"We saw all our other teachers faces and we know the teachers are going to be scared," said Vell.
The students decided to stand up and walk out on their teachers to make a point for their teachers. The school district does not support their actions.
"We don't condone this form of protest during school hours," said Nampa School District spokesperson Allison Westfall. "We'd like the students to be back in class."
But the students didn't go back to class, instead they headed toward Nampa City Hall, spreading their message the entire way.
"This bill will not help the schools, will not help any of the students, and they need to not pass this bill," said Vell.
We contacted a spokesperson for Tom Luna this morning about today's walk-outs. They had no comment at this time.
The Idaho State Board of Education spokesman Mark Browning said, "Any time out of class is time lost. We are not encouraging truancy, but there is also value in civic participation as long as it is respectful."
