West Seneca students walk out of school to protest teacher layoffs

WEST SENECA, N.Y. (WIVB) – Dozens of students walked out of West Seneca East and West high schools Friday morning in a sign of protest against proposed teacher layoffs.

The district has said it is facing a $5 million budget shortfall.

Last month, West Seneca teachers held a district-wide teacher walk-in demanding transparency about potential layoffs. Teachers and students brought those concerns directly to the board on Tuesday during its 2024-25 budget draft meeting.

Interim superintendent Jeffrey Rabey didn’t offer details to media on Tuesday about how many cuts will be made. He did however state in the budget presentation that inflation, the uncertainty of state aid, and the loss of Covid funding factored into the situation.

Well over 100 students participated in Friday's walkouts. Numerous students held handmade signs in support of their educators: "You can't put students first if you put teachers last," one sign read.

News 4 reported Tuesday that the budget is expected to be adopted by the board next week with a public hearing on May 7 and a vote on May 21.