( CNN ) -- Hundreds of protesters took to the streets in Providence , Rhode Island , Wednesday to demand that Mayor Angel Taveras take back the termination letters he sent to every educator in the city last week . The protesters carried placards and chanted `` We 'll never be defeated , '' in support of the Providence Teachers Union . In a 4-3 decision , the Providence City School Board , voted last week to adopt Taveras ' plan to fire 2,000 teachers and staff to give budget writers more flexibility to make cuts . A final decision on how many of them will end up losing their jobs wo n't be made until the board and the mayor decide specifically how to fill a multimillion-dollar budget gap . The move has outraged veteran teachers and union leaders . Taveras `` has done more to demoralize and disrespect teachers in 30 days than I think anyone could possibly do in the history of teaching , '' union President Steve Smith told CNN affiliate WPRI . Taveras , however , said his mind is made up . `` People will have their voices heard -- however my resolve has not changed , '' Taveras told WPRI . Taveras has insisted that he values the city 's `` gifted teachers , '' but felt compelled to give notice to municipal employees of `` potential changes to their employment status '' prior to a March 1 deadline . The mayor cites budgetary problems for the layoffs , not quality of the teachers . The U.S. Department of Education , has twice singled out Providence for its educational reform initiatives , according to Smith .
Hundred of Providence teachers union supporters demonstrate against terminations . Providence mayor sent termination letters to 2,000 teachers and staff last week . Actual layoffs wo n't be known until mayor and city council decide how to balance budget . Union leader : Mayor demoralized and disrespected teachers .