D.C. Schools To Cut 388 Employees

WASHINGTON (AP) -- District public schools will fire more than 350 employees.

Officials announced Friday they will fire 388 school employees, including 229 teachers, and blamed the cuts on a $40 million budget shortfall.

Schools have been expecting the cuts since they were announced earlier this month by schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee, but Friday was the first time numbers were announced.

The Washington Teachers' Union president and the D.C. Council chairman say Rhee is being disingenuous about any budget crunch. Rhee has disputed the charge.