#RedforED leaders vow to return to class when budget is passed

PHOENIX (KSAZ) - Leaders of Arizona's #RedforED Movement say they will return to the classroom, should the legislature pass a budget proposal that will increase education funding by Thursday.

"If the lawmakers do their job and the budget passed by Thursday, we commit to return to our classrooms then," said Rebecca Garelli, one of the leaders of the movement.

"Our fight is not over. We have options, but it is time for us to get back to our students, and back into our classrooms," said Garelli.

On April 27, Governor Doug Ducey claims a deal has been reached on education funding, which includes pay increases for teachers, as well as additional funding.

In an open letter issued by the Governor's Office Monday, Gov. Ducey said the budget bills were introduced in the legislature through an expedited process, which also involves both the State House and the State Senate processing the bills at the same time.

"As soon as they arrive on my desk, I am committed to signing them quickly. We are optimistic about this happening as early as Wednesday," Gov. Ducey wrote, in the letter.

The announcement Tuesday afternoon came, after another protest at the grounds of the State Capitol Tuesday. Inside the State Capitol building, lawmakers began the process of approving the pay raise plan. State House Speaker JD Mesnard said the votes are there, and that it's a "done deal".

"I think it's gonna pass," said Mesnard. "We'll make some final tweaks to this and all of the rest of the budget bills, as we hone in on a final product."

Originally, Gov. Ducey proposed a 1% pay raise for teachers this year, but then, the #RedforED movement took off.

"I absolutely love seeing people getting involved, and definitely appreciate the passion in the last few days, " said Mesnard.

During the news conference Tuesday, Noah Karvelis, one of the leaders of the movement, said the budget does not do enough.

"It doesn't do enough for our kids, it doesn't do enough for our colleagues," said Karvelis. "We've done a lot, but this budget does not go far enough for us right now, and we're staying committed to fighting for our students, and that's what we'll continue to do as educators."

Mesnard acknowledges opponents will say the plan doesn't spend enough to make up for years of poor pay and deteriorating schools.

"I don't have a good answer for folks who say this is not enough, but this is a huge accomplishment," said Mesnard. "If more is the answer, I don't see how we'll get there."

Mesnard said, prior to Tuesday's news conference, that the process should be completed by Thursday night.