Bellport High School students walk out to support teachers as cuts are proposed under 2026-2027 budget
South Country Superintendent of Schools Antonio Santana said the district is proposing to cut 55 jobs, including 43 teachers and five administrators.
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Students at Bellport High School are standing by their teachers as teacher cuts are proposed under the 2026-2027 budget. They showed their support with a planned walkout for 11 a.m. on Wednesday.
News 12 was not allowed on campus where the walkout was happening, but parents were gathered across the street to support their students. News 12 was sent photos and videos from the walkout on the football field.
"We are walking out in support of the people who have supported us from the very beginning," says student Ethan Hillard, who spoke at the walkout.
South Country Superintendent of Schools Antonio Santana said the district is proposing to cut 55 jobs, including 43 teachers and five administrators.
This comes after the district cut 53 jobs last year and made mid-year cuts as it continues to develop a three-year financial recovery plan.
The district's financial troubles have long been documented, but peaked after officials were forced to hire an outside independent auditor to look into the district's books. The audit focused on how the district blew through its $143 million budget for the 2024-25 school year and the lingering impacts that it continues to have.
"I think that it's so wrong for all the teachers that we all care about to be cut and I know so many people who, in the past few years, the only reason for coming to school was to see their teachers," says student Naomi Schindler-Schul.
"There's so many classes that are core classes but also classes that are art, theater, music and if those get cut how can a student learn how to be themselves," says student Asher King.
While students were walking out onto the football field, parents were gathered across the street.
Both parents and students say they're worried about the quality of education.
"Only three out of 10 students in our district read at grade level yet they're cutting English teachers. We need help," says parent Shannon Marshall."
Superintendent Antonio Santana sent a letter to parents and to News 12 about the walkout.
"We respect and value student voice, and we recognize that our students care deeply about their school community. In many ways, this reflects the kind of civic engagement and advocacy we hope to instill in our students. At the same time, our primary responsibility is to ensure the safety and well-being of all students. The District will take appropriate steps to maintain a safe environment while instruction continues," says Santana.
Santana also said that students who choose to leave their classrooms or other scheduled activities to participate in a walkout will be marked with an unexcused absence for that period.
