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Today another issue came to light. Twenty five teachers staged a walkout this morning to send a sharp message to their superiors. Sahar Vasquez was there and found out why they were sitting it out.

Sahar Vasquez reporting
Today was not a typical morning for the students at Gwen Liz high school. Usually, the morning begins with a lesson but this morning many teachers abandoned their post at the front of the classroom to make a statement.

Sofia Gladden, Teacher-Gwen Lizarraga
"We are not in our class today basically because we were called to a meeting yesterday to be informed about the board. They explained to us that the board recently had changes in regard to Ryan Elijo. A new councillor had replaced ms. Alifah Elrington and also we were informed that Mr. Paul Casimiro had resigned so hence the reason we would have to choose a new community rep."

The teachers expected that their right to select a community rep or at least have some input would be exercised but that expectation was shattered. According to Gladden, the principal told them that ms Alifah Elrington should be voted back on because of her expertise in the law and knowledge of the board's plans.

Sofia Gladden, Teacher-Gwen Lizarraga
"The staff asked m "Ms. are you telling us or are you asking us?" and she said she is informing us. Another co-worker asked again we are asking again. You can't do that and we pulled the rules. I personally read out the rules to her and she said she is telling us that, that is what is going to happen."

"I showed her the rule. I read the rule to her and I explained. She said that she is going with this rule: Here she states that she is going with this one where it says at letter F) One member representing business and another member representing the community both selected by the principal in consultation with the staff of the school."

"There is another rule I that says an additional representative of the community where the school is a Ministry of Education or community school selected by the principal and the staff of the school."

Gladden says Elrington is not the issue; the issue is that the rules are not being followed by the ones in power and they have had enough.

Sofia Gladden, Teacher-Gwen Lizarraga
"She is supposed to speak with us. Now we have a board where to us it is all not good because we have gone through this process of choosing persons and then names are sent back to us that we did not choose."

The teachers know their students are suffering the consequence of today's walkout, but it was their only option to try and get their school back on a positive track.

Sofia Gladden, Teacher-Gwen Lizarraga
"If we want to move this school forward because we know Gwen Liz has been in the media and we just need that black eye to come off of us, so this would be a good start."

The teachers said that they will resume classes tomorrow.