MILWAUKEE, Wis. (WTAQ) - Employees, parents, and students rallied outside the Milwaukee Federal Building Monday in response to Milwaukee Public Schools’ layoff of more than 700 teachers and other school staff. The district says the layoffs are needed because of a budget shortfall.

Amanda Noonan is a 5th grade teacher laid off last week from Samuel Clemens Elementary School. She says she’s concerned about her students, because of the relationships she’s built with them and their parents. Noonan says she was “shocked” at being laid off and expected to be at MPS for a long time.

Speakers at the rally encouraged attendees to call their senators in support of the Keep Our Educators Working Act. It would provide up to $23 billion to help financially-troubled school districts around the country.