For the second straight meeting, students from Anson New Tech turned out in support of a teacher, Megan Clement, at the Board of Education's budget meeting on June 30. The students had previously protested at the school board's regular monthly meeting on June 24.

Clement, who taught English, was asked to resign in May. She said she was given the option of resigning or being released. Clement resigned willingly but later realized she may have made a mistake.

On their own, the students organized to protest the decision.

"I feel that we need Ms. Clement," Shaniqua Sellers said during the public comment section of the meeting. Sellers is a rising senior and the president of the student body. Almost a dozen students turned out to support Clement, some with signs.

"I would love to have my job back," Clement said.

The board adopted a code of ethics for its members. Among the stipulations were "the need to uphold the integrity and independence of the board member's office" and "the need to avoid impropriety" in the exercise of the board's duties.

It also contained a promise to "conduct the affairs of the board in an open and public manner."

The board will not be ready to pass a budget for the fiscal year 2010-2011 until late August or early September, Superintendent Greg Firn said.

"We're not ready," he said. The board passed a continuing budget resolution June 24 to take care of expenses until that time.