It took several hours, but speaker after speaker stood up to share their thoughts about saving kids from being put in a bad learning environment.

These concerns all come as the South Bend Community School Corporation must cut $8.2 million from the budget.

While the board assumed the majority of the crowd was there to talk about ways to cut 8.2 million dollars from the budget, another issue was on the minds of many.

Several people are worried about Washington high school's principal being ousted. This comes after a report last week that says because of Washington, Bendix, and Riley's ISTEP scores, the state superintendent wants a plan of action that could mean removing these principals.

Heidi Miller, who represents NEA South Bend, says this is not the answer and test scores are not the issue.

Miller says, “We don't want them to know just Math and English. We want then to be able to function in society. The problem is a socioeconomic issue. All 23 schools named in the Cambridge Report are all urban areas of high property.”

This raises another concern by Miller, several parents, and board members: why was cutting social workers on Superintendent Kapsa's proposed budget?

Miller says, “It’s really important to increase social programs in an area of high poverty. We need to help those programs, build those up.”

At this point, board members are worried about where these cuts will come from.

Ralph Pieniazkiewicz says, “At a time like this, anytime the word “cuts” comes out, rumors follow.”

One issue brought to them was the fear of losing Perley Primary, Dickinson, and Marquette acadamies.

Kate Lee says her 7-year-old son, Isaac, would be devastated.

Lee says, “They’re not afraid to get involved and get hands on and really participate in the learning experience and I think that's where fine arts is great.”

Pieniazkiewicz says, “We have to cut $8.2 million and it’s not going to be easy and not everybody's going to be happy.”

The board is expecting Superintendent Jim Kapsa to come back with his final budget recommendations next week.