District Students: "Save Our Teachers!"
About 200 students at Ellington protested teacher layoffs
Rhee announced layoffs are coming to the public school system.
WASHINGTON -- It was a lesson in loyalty at Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Northwest, where students are going to bat for their teachers.
Two weeks ago District public schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee announced a massive $40 million shortfall. She said it'll force her to cut teacher and staff positions at schools across the city.
About 200 Ellington students marched out of the building during lunch chanting, "No teachers, no education." Their teachers are like family and they don't want to lose any of them, they said.
With a tear coming down her face, Ellington sophomore Eboni Stewart said, "That's really tearing me apart that they would do this to us. We need our teachers here ... it hurts me very much."
William Jackson, the student body president agreed.
"One of my biggest concerns is that we lose some of the best art teachers we've had at Ellington throughout the years, teachers who've been here and really make a difference in children's lives," he said.
When asked if the school system had come up with a final number of the expected positions that'll be cut, a spokesperson said that they are still "finalizing budget adjustments."
An announcement detailing the cuts is expected by Thursday at the earliest.
Posted Tuesday, Sep 29, 2009 - 8:31 PM EST
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