Our school is facing a crisis that threatens the quality of education for every student, teachers and vital staff are being laid off due to budget cuts.

Recently, we were told that multiple teachers, including math teachers, learning support staff, and even directors who help manage our campus, may lose their jobs. These are the people who make learning possible every day and provide support to students who need extra help, including those with 504 plans.

At the same time, our school is building a brand-new gym. And while we’re grateful that we’re finally getting one, it’s hard not to ask: without teachers, will it truly serve its purpose? If staff are cut and students feel unsupported, and many are already planning to leave the school, the gym might not even be used the way it was meant to be.

We’re already seeing the impact. Many teachers used to open their classrooms during lunch or passing periods to give students extra support, a quiet space, or even just a safe place to be. Now, they’ve had to stop doing that, because they’re following orders, and because they’re being pushed too hard. That loss hurts students more than people realize.

This isn’t just about jobs, it’s about our future. Removing teachers and academic support staff during a national teacher shortage is reckless and harmful. We need support in order to succeed. A new gym means nothing if there are no educators inside the building to help students grow, learn, and achieve. This petition is our voice to say: we matter and our education should come first.