WREX.com – Rockford’s News LeaderBelvidere students walk out of class to show support for teachers

Belvidere students walk out of class to show support for teachers

By Marissa Alter

BELVIDERE (WREX) - Belvidere High School students send a message to the district's leaders: we will fight to keep our teachers' jobs.

Chants of "save our schools" filled Belvidere streets this morning. Belvidere High School students ditched class, and staged a protest to show support for 150 teachers on the chopping block.

"We're fighting for our teachers because a lot of our first, second, and third year teachers are probably some of the best teachers who you've ever had in your life," stated junior Joe Leopold.

The district's plan is to dismiss all first, second and third year teachers to fix the budget crisis. Illinois owes Belvidere $2.8 million. That could hit $4 million by the end of June.

"It's not fair to us that our teachers are being cut and our schooling is being messed up because the state can't pay for it anymore," added freshman Angelinea Burns.

Even seniors, who won't be affected by the cuts, joined in.

"I shouldn't care, but I do care," said senior Brycen Johnson. "It's just about the future of Belvidere. Not only are they trying to take away our teachers, but they're trying to take away our extra classes like AP classes that can get students ahead in college."

The group took its fight to the administration building. Superintendent Michael Houselog and High School Principal Matt Zickert met them. Houselog told the students he understood their anger, but the district has few options.

"I was so proud of them because they chose a very peaceful path," Houselog said. They were down here out of genuine concern for their future, for the future of their teachers and really the future of our community. And we were enthused about that energy they had."

The Belvidere School Board votes on teacher layoffs Monday night.