Southside High School welcomed three legislative representatives on Wednesday, as part of a statewide campaign April 18-22.

“Legislators in the Classroom” is an effort to close the gap between what happens in the classroom versus the decisions made in the state legislature. Southside High School welcomed Rep. Paul Tine, Rep. Michael Speciale and Sen. Bill Cook.

Over the course of three hours on Wednesday, the legislators were able to visit classrooms and discuss issues with teachers and students, according to Principal Dale Cole.

Cole said the questions brought to the legislators by teachers involved: how the legislature encourages prospective teachers to come to North Carolina; whether they support Common Core standards; whether assistant principals will receive a pay raise; how they handle teachers leaving the state; and how teachers’ opinions are included in decision making.

“I feel that there has been a wall thrown up between our public schools and our legislators, and I don’t know who is responsible for that. I know that we need their support if public schools are going to have a chance at all of being successful,” Cole said. “There is a huge disconnect between what teachers in the classroom see as necessary for student success and what legislators see as necessary.”

He said his goal in inviting the legislators was to open a dialogue in the hope that their opinions would be considered in the decision-making process.

Students in their senior year were also invited to speak with the representatives, as they are the newest generation of voters, Cole said.

“I wanted them to understand that their legislators work for them, not the other way around,” he said. “I wanted both groups to walk away from this feeling that they could talk both that day and in the future.“

Tine said he thinks it is beneficial to talk with people within the school system because they are the experts in the field.

“Actually, there were some really good ideas that came forth,” he said. “I appreciated the opportunity to be down there.”

“When we’re trying work towards solutions, you know, it’s great to hear from them,” Tine added.

Cole said he doesn’t know if the visit will affect the decision-making process, but Speciale did say he wants to come back after the next legislative session to follow up.

“I wanted an opportunity to show the legislators 21^st-century teaching, learning through technology. I wanted them to see how things were different from their educational experience,” he said. “I am positive that not talking to them won’t help, and I’m the kind of guy that prefers action over acceptance.”