Walter Reed Parents Gear Up to Protest Teacher Layoffs

About 50  parents who attended a meeting Thursday night said they were ready to take drastic measures to help their school respond to pending budget cuts that could lead to the layoffs of 11 teachers and a counselor.

Principal Donna Tobin told the Parent-Teacher-Student Association meeting that her hands are tied when it comes to possibly losing one-fifth of her teachers at the 1,600-student school.

"We have been building an amazing program, and this is a little bit of hiccups that we have to overcome," Tobin said. "The school has attracted families who really care about the students, and I know you will not let this go on and just take it."

Out of earshot of the principal, some of the parents suggested that the students do a “walk-out” so the school will lose money that day.

“It’s time to take out the baseball bats and chains,” said Doreen Austria, the mother of an eighth grader whose math teacher got a Reduction In Force letter.

Two received those letters a few days after winning a countywide award from the .

“These cuts affect more than the music department, it affects every department,” the principal said. “I think the biggest impact will come from our children. Our kids write well, so let’s practice that persuasive essay.”

Tobin was scheduled to talk with more parents at 8 a.m. Friday.

The PTSA plans to set another emergency meeting for Tuesday to get volunteers to help try to persuade politicians to put Gov. Jerry Brown’s Tax Initiative issue to a vote for all.

Students have started petitions, Facebook pages and letter writing.

Tobin said local publicity about the cuts helped spark national media to interview the school's music teachers, and Los Angeles Unified School District board representatives and the superintendent have scheduled visits to the music department.

Also, a Walter Reed contingent plans to join a United Teachers of Los Angeles demonstration Saturday, March 26, at 10 a.m. at Pershing Square.

How people are responding:

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* An online petition:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/save-walter-reed-middle-school39s-music-teachers/

* Contacting LAUSD school board members: 
http://www.utla.net/schoolboard

* Organizing through a special website:  http://savethemusicwrms.tumblr.com/ 

Other helpful sites:

Educate our State:  http://www.congressweb.com/cweb2/index.cfm/siteid/educateourstate

Capitol Alert:  http://blogs.sacbee.com/capitolalertlate

More Patch coverage:

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* Music Education Can Help Children Improve Reading Skills

* How Music Can Help Your Child Learn