Rhee Testifies on DC Teacher Layoffs

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The D.C. Council was infuriated by several revelations at a hearing on Thursday to investigate the firing of nearly 300 D.C. Public Schools teachers and staff.

The council accused D.C. Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee of not following the law and acting on her own to fire teachers.

"There is no question in my mind. All I can do. Wait a minute-- I'm talking." said D.C. Council Chairman Vincent Gray in one of many bitter and often combative back and forth.

"Why did you choose not to follow what the law?" asked Gray.

Rhee said hers was a better decision and blasted back.

"When you cut our budget by $20 million, you didn't call me to ask me if it was okay to cut summer school or not," exclaimed Rhee.

The council didn't buy that they created a budget shortfall which lead to the mass firing of 266 teachers and support staff. Rhee defended her decision on legal and policy grounds, but the council didn't like being blindsided.

"We can't have this surprise. We need the truth the whole truth and we need it early. You are putting all the reforms you've put in place at risk," said D.C. Councilman David Catania.

After speaking with the chief financial officer for the schools, it was revealed Rhee virtually created the budget shortfall by ignoring the council directive to cut $9 million from the summer school program. It's a decision that created a budget gap which then set the stage for mass firings.

For that, Rhee got a lashing

"You and your infinite wisdom and your unlimited authority have decided you're not going to do what the council says you're going to do something else. It's unbelievably cavalier, Chancellor Rhee," said Gray.

What made matters worse, it became clear Rhee was aware of the pending budget issues and still hired an unprecedented 900 new teachers. Council members and teachers allege that it was all part of a bigger plan to clean house and then put the blame on the council.

Chairman Gray and others want fired teachers to get their jobs back.

"Would you fight us?" asked Councilmember Michael Brown.

"Yes. I don't think it would be a good idea to bring back all the people," said Rhee.

Ignoring the council made many angry.

"It's about process, respect and accountability," said council member Harry Thomas.

With relations strained, many wonder if the kids and school reform will take the hit.

"You should acknowledge the mistakes made in this journey and you and the team, from the mayor on down, should be willing to admit it. Mistakes were made," said Catania.

After hours of grilling, Rhee remained defiant.

"I think my job is to make the budget decisions that are necessary that assure success in the long term. If I'm not the person, then I shouldn't be in this role," said Rhee.

"She went around the actions approved by the council and did what she chose to do. It is incredibly infuriating," said Gray.

Union leaders have denounced the action as an illegal mass firing designed to purge older educators. They have gone to court to have the teachers reinstated.