MADISON, Wis. — Across the U.S. Wednesday, many students and teachers walked out of school in protest of potential federal funding cuts and layoffs at the Department of Education.

At La Follette High School in Madison, Kelly Buckler joined students and teachers who “walked out” for a small rally outside the school. Buckler is currently pursuing her master’s degree in school counseling. Buckler's wife works for the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD). 

“We want to make sure that we protect our public schools and keep all of the students that are served by public education safe and happy and healthy,” Buckler said. “They're thinking that they're going to see class sizes increasing even more, and they already feel like they're not able to reach all of their students. So, people are definitely worried about that in schools across the district.”

Cindy Green, the assistant superintendent of teaching and learning at MMSD, said the district encourages its students and teachers to advocate for more funding to education, which is mainly decided at the state and federal levels.

“I think that is really important, and that is the place where more advocacy needs to happen versus at the local level where we are within only what we can control, and only the funding that we receive,” Green said.

This comes as MMSD recently announced some staffing changes for next year. While no teachers are losing their jobs, some are moving to other schools. According to the district, this is strictly based on enrollment numbers and which schools are projected to have the most students.

“When enrollment changes and you have to make shifts in the staffing, it is hard for people when it impacts your school directly,” Green said.