Middle Schoolers Protest Budget Cuts With Music Video

It's the last day of school for the students of Roy Romer Middle School in North Hollywood, but the kids don't seem as happy as one would expect, reports North Hollywood Patch.

This isn't just teen angst. Roy Romer has had to fire 27 teachers and counselors within its three years of existence, and its sixth, seventh, and eighth graders are not pleased. To protest the "reductions in forces" (also known as RIFs--a favorite term of the LAUSD), they released this video featuring the song "Apologize" by Timbaland and One Republic.

The film details the pitfalls of budget cuts as students lip sync with the song and occasionally sing and dance themselves. While it might seem a bit overwrought, no one can dispute the facts -- the school has lost 50% of its custodial staff and its award-winning performing arts program is being drastically cut.

All this has happened in a mere three years. In 2008, Roy Romer opened as a "tremendous asset for families in the North Hollywood area," said LAUSD Board Member Tamar Galatzan on the LA schools website. Kids, parents, and educators had high hopes in the "state-of-the art facility [which] provided students in this underserved community with the tools to receive a first-rate education." Unfortunately, the community does not feel the same way now.

h/t LA Observed