Approximately 100 students attended Westlake Middle School today, roughly an 85% attendance drop. 

"I see it as a big sign of support from parents. They are keeping kids home to show they're support," said Angela Jensen a 7th grade Arts and Social Studies teacher.

Few if any subs were reportedly seen by Westlake teachers on early morning picket lines.

"I don't think it's fair. We need education more than we need anything else. The district must do something," said 14 year old Kadija Lewis who joined teachers on the picket lines along with her friends. 

For Randy Porter, a Band and Orchestra teacher,  a large concern is his continually decreasing classroom budget.

"What's hard is the thought that we can't spend any money. For example knowing that we have no funds through the last week of April," he said.

672 students attended Westlake Middle School in the 2006-2007 school year. There were 37 teachers on staff, giving Westlake Middle School a student-teacher ratio of 18.2 according to Muni Net Guide.