Hamburg, N.Y. (WBEN) - Dozens of faculty, students, and parents protested before the Hamburg School Board meeting on Tuesday to support 20 district staff members that will be laid off at the end of the school year as part of a controversial new budget.
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Hamburg Middle School teacher Chris Cerrone was at the protest and he explained why the new budget is problematic for students.
"It's really shocking that the administrative budget doesn't include any administrative cuts, especially at the upper levels at the administration building that are not working with students," said Cerrone in an interview with WBEN. "All of the cuts were made with people working directly with the students. That has a huge negative impact on the students, especially on our most vulnerable students at Hamburg."
Raynna Krencik, a student at Hamburg High School, expressed her frustration with the budget cut, and said that she'll be losing three teachers because of it.
"These teachers have made me who I am today, and I feel like a part of me is being ripped away by them being laid off", Krencik told WBEN.
Jessica Reyna, a staff member at the Hamburg School District, also believes the budget cuts should be reconsidered by the School Board.
"We are losing student-facing positions and that has an impact on our students. We are a district that prioritizes in youth mental health, joy, value, and connection. By losing 17 student-facing positions, we put that in jeopardy," said Reyna on Tuesday with WBEN.
During the meeting, the board gave the floor to anyone who wanted to share their opinion/concern with the budget cuts. Most of the people who spoke were against losing faculty members.
One of the parents who went up to the microphone, did not hold back on how she felt with the current situation and how it's being handled. She stated that she is worried about sending her 8th grader to the high school since the learning center is being cut. She later demanded for the board to start taking immediate action.
"At the last meeting, you said the buck stops with you. If that were true, you never would have taken that 4% raise. If the other administrators really cared, they would not have neither," the concerned parent exclaimed. "A good leader would do what many other CEO's of prestigious companies did during COVID, and not only take pay-freeze, but also a pay-cut to save the jobs of their employees. I can assure you [Superintendent] Mr. Cornell, that it is very possible to live comfortably on less than half of what you currently make. Just ask your teachers.
"It's time for you step up an do your jobs, or step down and let us find someone who will clean up your mess."