Gray: DC School Layoffs Not Necessary

WASHINGTON, D.C. - D.C. Council Chair Vincent Gray is now questioning the proposed cuts by D.C. School's Chancellor Michelle Rhee and Mayor Adrian Fenty. Gray says the budget cuts are a smokescreen and there should be no layoffs.

He says the 2010 budget is actually an increase over last year, and federal dollars should be more than enough to cover any shortfall.

Pending teacher layoffs have sparked daily protests.

Gray has crunched the numbers and says it doesn't add up. Gray says the school system is set to receive more money with fewer students.

"It's not a reason attributable to councils budget work. That is what we are really deeply concerned and infuriated about frankly. If you want to cut teachers, take responsibility for it," said Gray.

The mayor and schools chancellor says a $40 million budget shortfall will force bigger class sizes and an unknown number of teacher layoffs. So far, no specifics have been released.

"We're not getting any answers. We have no idea how many will be laid off. We have no idea who they are individually or collectively. Logically, you would say last in, first out," said Gray.

However, FOX 5 has learned Cardozo High could loose 20 faculty members. Ballou High could lose 18 people, and 15 at Spingarn may be shown the door.

On FOX Morning News, the Mayor said principals are deciding who goes.

"The teachers who will be let go will be the ones not affecting the classroom, and the ones who have not met the standards as much as other teachers," said Fenty.

Vincent Gray says there should be no layoffs-- the $20 million cut by the Council was replaced by stimulus dollars.

"The stimulus dollars that went to the school system-- if you look at the reasons for it-- was to avert teacher layoffs and cutbacks in public education, and that's what we're would expect dollars to be used for," said Gray.

Chairman Gray now believes like critics, layoffs may be just a way to oust critics of the mayor and school's chancellor.

"It's a concern we have too. Again, we feel the Council is being scapegoated in this. It was not budget action on our part that led to this it is a way to get rid of people they want to get rid of," said Gray.

Chairman Gray also now wants the schools chancellor to explain her decision to hire 900 new teachers while planning these cuts.

A schools spokesperson says there is no update on layoffs at this time.