More D.C. School Employees May Lose Jobs

WASHINGTON - More than 100 school employees have been fired in the District, and D.C. School Chancellor Michelle Rhee tells WTOP Radio they may not be the last workers to lose their jobs.

"We'll do whatever we need to do make sure that ultimately the central office is as streamlined and lean as possible. The goal of this is to make sure that we are pushing as much money down to the schools as possible."

D.C. Protective Services Police were called to school headquarters after 98 school employees were fired on Friday. The police service was there to maintain order and to escort the fired employees from the building.

In the last few weeks, school employees were sent notices that they may be reassigned. Eighteen declined to be reassigned and were later fired, 98 received termination notices Friday.

The D.C. Council recently approved legislation giving Rhee the power to cut jobs at the school's central office. Nearly 400 employees are covered under that legislation. This is the first time Rhee has used that authority.

"Clearly, we went after this personnel legislation because we felt that there was a significant need to streamline the central office," Rhee said.

No teachers or school staff are included in the firings.

In a letter obtained by WTOP, employees will be put on administrative leave until March 22. They will continue to be paid and continue to accrue both annual and sick leave.

Employees have been instructed to not report to work.

The Protective Services Police is a District police agency in charge of protecting government buildings.

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