Harlem School District leaders will soon vote on the dismissal of about 150 teachers and staff members. News of the cuts prompted nearly 100 harlem students to protest today. The fight is continuing beyond the protests.

More than 60 Harlem middle and high school students walked out of class today in protest of recently announced teacher cuts while about 50 more chose to stage a sit-in.

"How are we going to learn, how are we going to get the education we need. Our education and everything we learn is in their hands," says eight-grader Savanna Permenter.

"I think it's very awesome that the children are standing up for their teachers, I think the parents need to stand more," says district parent Leah Morris.

After settling the protests school administrators partnered with student leaders to hold a letter writing session.

"We all went back to class and decided that it would be best to just come in after school and do it productively. Write letters to the congressmen, senators, the governor, to get us the money that the state owes us," says student movement leader Braxton O'Hearn.

The worst may be yet to come. The District 122 school board is set to make the proposed teacher cuts official. Right now a total of 63 teachers are on the chopping block. Ten of them teach at the high school level, one at the middle school, and at least 38 could be cut from Harlem's elementary schools. In addition to certified teachers 71 para educators could be fired as the special education program gets restructured.

"It's not because we don't care about our teachers or our students, it's because of the crisis that the state is in financially," says District 122 Superintendent Dr. Julie Morris.

With the state to blame for these massive cuts some students want to take their protest all the way to Springfield.

"I'd fill my car if I had to if we couldn't get a bus. If people want to help out, parents, teachers, we'll take all the help we can get," says O'Hearn.

The true damage to our school districts won't be known until the Illinois legislature solidifies its budget.

Harlem district board members will vote on the proposed cuts at a special board meeting this monday. For a detailed list of who may be cut from where check out the "related links" section below.

(Chip Brewster is available via email AND facebook... feel free to shoot him a message or friend him at any time)