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CHARLOTTE—Layoffs are often a harsh reality of budget cuts.

Over the past few years hundreds of teachers have lost their jobs with Charlotte Mecklenburg schools. Those who stayed have fewer resources to teach more students with the pressure of high standards. The Classroom Teachers Association met with its members on Saturday to discuss imminent cuts and allow its members to voice their concerns.
 
"We do love the children and we are there for the children but we're scared," said teacher Dee Smith. “The teachers are very concerned about what's going to happen."
 
System-wide, 600 teachers could lose their jobs next year. Teachers' classes could get larger and their teaching assistants laid off as causalities of another year of budget cuts. One of the greatest concerns expressed by teachers involved a plan which is still in development. The plan would pay teachers solely based on the impact they have on student achievement.
 
"I think it's very unclear to staff members what this pay for performance is going to look like," said Smith.
 
The teachers' concerns were not about being held accountable for student's performance. Instead, they took issue with how the district would measure their effectiveness. It is concerns such as these that drove the Teachers Association to encourage its members to speak up.

Leaders want to ensure their interest are taken into consideration when decisions are made.
 
"Let people know that we understand that we have rights and we will do what we need to protect those rights," said Steve Oreskovic, CTA Vice President.
 
Teachers say students are not the only ones who are affected.
 
"We will do what we need to, to teach the children. CMS needs to help us. The state needs to help us. We're doing what we can," said Oreskovic.

The Classroom Teachers Association plans to meet with school board members and state lawmakers to discuss its members concerns.