12 Chairs Stand Empty at Walter Reed Middle School

A poignant protest is on the front lawn of where a dozen teachers have been told they  unless more money is voted in for the Los Angeles School District.

Parents have placed 12 empty chairs on the lawn, representing the teachers whose spaces may be vacated, including   in the school's award-winning music program.

"I applaud that the parents are willing to make such a statement like this," said the school's principal, Donna Tobin.

Tobin wouldn't release the names of the teachers who received the notices, as other principals have, saying, "It is a confidential matter who received the notices, and a few of those teachers asked me not to identify them." 

At Carpenter Community Charter School, 11 teachers received such notices. Tobin herself, and other administrators at the school, also received the notices. Other teachers posted their notices on Facebook pages, or let parents know.

The protesting parents also listed the maintenance crews, librarian, custodians, office staff and others who could be cut because of the LAUSD $408 million budget shortfall.

The parents are planning other protests in coming days, including joining a district-wide protest this Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Los Angeles Convention Center, and calls to action (see here.)