Laid Off D.C. Teachers Are Hopeful About Being Reinstated

By Kavitha Cardoza

Teachers laid off last year because of a supposed budget shortfall in D.C. Public Schools are wondering whether they'll get their jobs back. This comes after Chancellor Michelle Rhee recently said she found out late February an accounting error has led to a surplus of $34 million.

Amorita Proctor taught in D.C.P.S. for 14 years before she was laid off. When she heard about the surplus, she was shocked.

"What in the world? That's what I thought, what in the world? Somebody had to have known about it," says Proctor.

Proctor has struggled to pay her bills.

"I'm hopeful justice will happen for us, this is the door we've been looking for.," she says.

Brendan Cassidy says he's felt frustrated and depressed since he lost his job. He wants Rhee fired.

"This woman has been unmasked. Lets do something about it," says Cassidy.

Several teachers are consulting with attorneys. Rhee has said she will not reinstate the teachers but some council members say they'll pass legislation to force her to do so.