An information session turns into an outlet for frustration at Belvidere Central Middle School, where concerned parents, teachers and students confronted District 100 administration.

"You don't get the same quality when employees are treated like expendable costs."

John Seeber has been with District 100 through the good and the bad, and now in the last year of his 33 year career he can't believe what's happening.
"A number of people have said what they felt, heartfelt, what they believe, but I know that bad things are going to happen anyway."

Many share Seeber's reaction of disbelief as district administrators announce tonight the recommendation for more than 100 teachers to receive pink slips. It's a drastic move in an effort to curb a massive budget deficit and few agree with it.

"The last thing we want to do is do the teacher cuts. There's just too many programs, too many factors," says parent and school secretary Cindy Clark.

"Cutting these teachers is detrimental to our students that are trying to learn," says concerned parent Lisa Sullivan.

Superintendent Michael Houselog held the meeting to hear the public's concerns and inform them that the proposed cuts are not as severe as they appear.

"What we're really trying to do is be as proactive and preventative as we can and anticipating the worst case scenario so that we would be able to pull back and hire almost all the staff that we can have," says Houselog.

Even knowing the situation many question whether there's a better route to take.

"Let's make some changes, use some of those funds, and re-evaluate next year," says Clark.

"There are places where we can cut, and they're not cutting it, and instead they're hurting the students," says Sullivan.

"I can't say they're solutions because we have a huge problem, but I think that there are some creative options that could be looked at," says teacher Kendra Asbury.

"They should just cut the less popular sports, less popular clubs and keep the teachers around," says student Vanessa Lein.

Superintendent Houselog emphasizes that even though the pink slips may be issued the district intends to hire back as many teachers as possible. They are only recommending the move as a precautionary measure until the state of Illinois and the school board can determine a final budget.

To view district documents related to the budget process (including the presentation made during the public meeting, all 58 cost-saving options, and a budget breakdown) follow the link in the "related links" section.

(chip brewster is available via email and facebook... feel free to shoot him a message or friend him at any time)