SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell today in Sacramento joined Chip Fraser, a high school teacher from Ventura, on the final leg of his walk to Sacramento to raise awareness about inadequate funding for California public schools

"Chip Fraser started this journey to make an important point about the need to adequately fund our schools," O’Connell said. "Many California teachers make herculean efforts to provide quality education in the classroom, but Chip’s walk to Sacramento this summer shows amazing dedication and commitment to his students and all of the students in California."

An avid walker, Fraser is a creative writing teacher at Pacific High School in Ventura.  He began his walk to the Capitol on July 2 to bring attention to the problems that he and other teachers face as they meet the challenge of providing high-standards education while many schools are struggling with tighter and tighter budgets.  Fraser is also raising funds to provide much-needed instructional materials and equipment to Pacific High School such as lab equipment, physical education equipment, and other resources so his school can provide better services to homeless students. He wants to let students know that teachers are still fighting to improve their education.

"I am a teacher and completing this walk has motivated me to work even harder in the classroom and go the extra mile for my students," Fraser said. "I hope that my walk for education will inspire others to fight for adequate funding for our schools. Investing in education is a critical investment that pays dividends. And, if we don’t pay now, we will have to pay later in higher costs to our society."

O’Connell accompanied Mr. Fraser on the last leg of his walk, starting at Tower Bridge spanning the Sacramento River, then continued down Capitol Mall, and into the State Capitol. O’Connell later met with Fraser at his office at the California Department of Education.