If only the founding fathers could see us now, with students protesting the recent teacher layoffs and the media freely covering the events as they unfold. It is almost certain that they would be proud of the execution of First Amendment rights today. Proud and sickened simultaneously, disgusted by the obstruction of liberty and the pursuit of happiness, it separates us from the oppression in other countries.

Across the KISD high school campuses on April 13, 146 out of approximately 1100 teachers and 22 out of 124 administrators were notified that their contracts would not be renewed for next year.  In addition, there have been 224 resignations district wide.

Remaining teachers have adamantly advised students to remain sensitive towards the rumors and circumstances of jobless teachers. A multitude of laid-off teachers have families, new homes and numerous other expenses, thus students responded in an uproar.

In the midst of the mass, on April 14, distressed students and teachers in the rotunda defiantly chanted “save them” and “no teacher left behind.” Students unified under the joint concern for our dedicated teachers.

After approximately two weeks of mounting anxiety over prospective layoffs, students created Facebook groups and events to support their teachers. Quickly, rumors spread like an epidemic throughout the hallways and students began to fear for the futures of their beloved teachers.

For years, students have been lectured on taking control and being involved in their community. When reality sets in, we hope to react in accordance to what we have been taught. Today’s protests tested the maturity of students across the district.

Many are outraged over our district spending money on smart boards and laptops, rather than dedicating money to teachers’ paychecks.  However, students need to take into account that there was nothing the administrators in the district could do in light of the statewide budget shortfall. In addition, technology expenditures are in a separate budget area from payroll expenditures.

Nonetheless, the way that teachers were notified negatively impacted many students in the classroom. According to students, some teachers were pulled out of class to be told that they would not have a teaching position next year. Rather than notifying teachers during the school day, resignations should have been announced at a more appropriate time.

One hour after the protests began in the rotunda the hallways are eerily silent. The ground is littered with print outs saying “save Charles Lowery,” and the last bits of angry outrage are silenced by the reality of the situation. Some teachers are single parents. All teachers have families.

We all know the day-to-day struggles of the typical high school teacher. However, teachers at Cinco Ranch are not typical. This school is more than just bricks and mortar, but a community. We are not apathetic, insensitive teenagers, so we stood up and decided to take the future of our education into our own hands.