Students in Oklahoma City Public Schools are upset with the budget cuts their district is facing, and many walked out of school in protest.
About 600 students at U.S. Grant High School rallied in the school parking lot chanting “No ifs, no buts, no budget cuts” in protest of the district slashing $30 million from the budget.
A senior at U.S. Grant, Christopher Black, said he was there speaking out for the future students.
"We don’t want budget cuts," he said. "We want more funding to our education; to the future of America."
Cassidy Coffey, a junior at U.S. Grant, organized the protest using Facebook. She says she wants state leaders to know her education is being affected.
"One day being taken out of class is nothing compared to my whole next year and everyone else’s years being taken from them because of overcrowded, because of lack of teachers, because of lack of staff. One day can make a difference for the rest of my days."
The principal at Grant High School, Greg Frederick, says the protests were not supported by the administration, but he feels for the cause.
"Our students will experience significant changes in their education for next year. Our school in particular was cut 20 teachers, and that’s all due to budget cuts."
However, instead of protesting, he wishes the kids had spoken with legislators, what he calls the source of the problem.
District officials estimate over 1,000 students walked out of class today at U.S. Grant High School, Northwest Classen High School, and Jefferson Middle School.
