At Santa Ana Unified School District’s (SAUSD’s) Reduction In Force (RIF) Hearing, third-year Santa Ana School teacher Pedro Reyes described the anxiety of the potential loss of his teaching job- one he has successfully served in for three years. “It doesn’t make sense.” he said, “Why are they laying off educators in the middle of a teacher shortage?” 

In a show of support after Tuesday’s Layoff Hearing held at Santa Ana Villa High School, scores of teachers and classified staff rallied and marched at the site and on the district office in opposition SAUSD’s decision to cut personnel and increase class size in the sprawling district in central Orange County. 

Santa Ana Educators Association (SAEA) President Barbara Pierson was pleased so many educators and others remained to join the rally after the hearing’s end. “We all know that cutting educators and support staff hurts children- and we refuse to be silent about it.”

California School Employees Association (CSEA) Local 41  President Eddie Luna, who also organized the event, encouraged their members to stay united. “We know by standing together we can protect our community.”