“I thought it was important that our teachers saw that their students really do care,” junior Theresa Lister, 16, one of the organizers of the demonstration, said in a phone interview afterward.
Hundreds of student protesters poured out of the school, many wearing red hoodies and carrying signs, such as “Save Our Teachers, Save Our Futures.”
NORTH ANDOVER — Students at North Andover High School walked out of classes Monday morning to protest looming staff cuts that could result in some 40 positions being eliminated.
School Committee Vice Chair Joe Hicks said on Facebook that his children participated in the demonstration, which included students from North Andover Middle School.
“I was at NAMS during the student walkout this morning for a previously scheduled meeting,” Hicks said. “My own children participated. I’m proud of them. They wanted to show how much they care for their teachers — in the same way that their teachers care for them. I’m proud of them for being thoughtful about how to use their voice.”
Assistant Superintendent Kristen Ando said in a statement that administrators value the students’ perspective.
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“We respect their desire to advocate and encourage respectful dialogue as part of the learning process during these challenging times,” Ando said. “We want to support students’ voices and thoughtful protest on issues important to them. This is an essential aspect of our democratic society, and one that our students study and learn about with us.”
Juliette Darmon, president of the North Andover Teachers Association, said in a statement Monday her group supported the action.
“We support the walkout and are thankful that our students … want to bring awareness to the massive cuts that our district is facing and that will directly affect their future if no change is made at town meeting on May 13th,” Darmon said in a statement.
North Andover High School students staged a walkout in support of their teachers and programs. They rallied on the football field before walking to the School Administration building. Pat Greenhouse/Globe Staff
North Andover High School students held signs during a walk-out. Pat Greenhouse/Globe Staff
The cuts affect staff from pre-K to Grade 12 as part of a proposed $68.2 million budget for the next fiscal year, the Eagle-Tribune reported, citing an email from Superintendent Pamela Lathrop sent to families Friday.
The school committee last month voted to recommend the $68.2 million budget for the next school year. Lathrop said the budget is $3.5 million shy of maintaining current services and requires cuts to bridge the gap, the newspaper reported.
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In a statement last week, union officials said they are “devastated over the loss of these educators. The impact this has on our teachers, students, families and community is deeply felt.”
The union said it’s also “continuing the fight to save North Andover Public Schools and stop these brutal and unnecessary cuts. These reductions to NAPS teaching staff are both troubling and confounding.”
The budget fight comes as many Massachusetts school districts are facing financial challenges, including inflation, rising costs for special education, health insurance, and transportation, as well as the loss of federal pandemic aid and state assistance that fails to keep pace with costs.
President Trump’s recent moves to disband the US Education Department have added to the uncertainty.
It was not clear how many students took part in the demonstration in North Andover, although Ando suggested turnout was sizable.
Ando said the school district remains “committed to working toward a budget that ensures the best possible outcomes for all students.”
North Andover High School students emerged from a side entrance during a walk-out in support of their teachers and programs. Pat Greenhouse/Globe Staff
Material from the Associated Press was used in this report.
Travis Andersen can be reached at travis.andersen@globe.com.