HANSON, Mass. —

Students at Whitman-Hanson Regional High School walked out of class Monday morning in protest after a massive budget deficit led to layoffs.

The district laid off five teachers, two long-term substitutes, 11 paraprofessionals and five non-union workers on Friday.

"We are not doing this for ourselves but for our future students," senior Ella Leach said.

Last month, the district revealed a $1.4 million shortfall in this year's budget.

The Whitman-Hanson Teachers Union has issued a vote of no confidence in Superintendent Jeff Szymaniak.

"The responsibility ultimately lies with me. Looking back how we got here, it is clear that I didn't maintain a close enough watch over our payroll in fiscal year 25," Szymaniak said.

The district said it is hopeful that some positions m

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