DOVER The City Hall lawn was covered with members of the Dover Teachers Union Wednesday evening, their families and supporters of all ages wearing red and urging drivers to honk and cheer to back their cause.
The demonstration came before the City Council held an open public hearing for residents to speak about the school budget for 2021-22. Nineteen people spoke during the session, most urging the City Council to consider passing the default school budget, despite it being more than $5 million over the city s tax cap.
Nabia Fortier, a Woodman Park Elementary School parent, was one of many who turned out in support of the teachers union and passing a default budget that includes contractual raises for teachers, as well as advocating against cutting paraprofessional staff jobs.