Hundreds turned out in East Orange Tuesday night to protest proposed budget cuts at the Board of Education meeting.

Police surrounded the meeting as those against the budget cuts tried to get in. Parents are outraged and say the cuts will hurt their children in the long run.

Education officials say the budget problem has nothing to do with the school board or the superintendent?s office. According to district officials, East Orange is an Abbot district, which means it gets money from the state and federal government. Education officials say the district needs more funding and is not getting it.

This was the board?s first meeting since deep budget cuts were announced last week. The district also warned at least 250 teachers and staff members could lose their jobs if next year?s budget isn?t approved.

Meanwhile, students and parents at Dionne Warwick Elementary School protested against the budget cuts Tuesday afternoon. Many say the cuts will affect them because the school is slated to lose 14 teachers. Parents and teachers say it is unreasonable for one teacher to teach more than 40 students.

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