In order to help balance their budget, DeWitt Public Schools signed a contract back in April to have trees removed from a woodlot.
The timber would be worth around $43,000 and, according to school officials, would help in balancing a total deficit of $777,000.
"In this day and age, we're trying to do anything we can to balance our budget", said Superintendent of DeWitt Public Schools, John Deiter. "We've had severe cuts the last several years in Michigan."
Phil Harner, a former DeWitt teacher and has taken students out to the woodlot for years to study its plant life due to its close proximity.
He, along with other former teachers, disagree with the district's decision.
"We think that's a very small percentage for the value of all the experiences", said Harner.
According to Harner, there are 52 trees targeted for removal. Marked with orange paint, 11 of them are dead ash trees, but others, like maples and large oaks are still alive, some thought to be over 200 years old.
"Our concern is that these trees form a canopy here that makes it possible for many unique species to grow", said Harner. "We're also concerned that such an operation would cause a lot of damage."
The forester that the district hired has planned to remove the trees during the winter season, to do the least amount of damage possible.
A public meeting will be held, Monday night, at DeWitt Junior High School to discuss the signed contract.
