Osborne students stage peaceful protest over teacher cuts
Nearly the entire student body walked out of Osborne High School near Marietta around 1:45 p.m. Wednesday to protest budgeted-related teacher cuts.
"I thought it was pretty cool what they did," Principal Steven Miletto told the AJC. "They were showing their support."
Miletto told staff members Tuesday who would not be returning for the next school year. Many students were upset to learn their favorite teachers wouldn't be returning, he said.
“There were teachers that they loved, and rightfully so," Miletto said.
The cuts at Osborne are part of hundreds in the Cobb County school system to be lost due to a budget shortfall, which many other metro systems are also facing.
Miletto said the students organized the walkout through Facebook and text messages, and by Wednesday morning, school administrators knew of the plan.
Some students held signs that read "Save our teachers" or "How can we have school without teachers?" and others gave speeches, Miletto said.
Students weren't allowed to leave campus, but weren't forced to return to class, Miletto said. School buses arrived a little earlier than normal to take students home for the day.
The students will not face disciplinary action, the principal said.
