Dallas Morning News.

More than 600 DISD employees lost their jobs.

Some 627 Dallas teachers and staff fired.

Today, one-by-one, some finally got their chance to fire back, when they met face-to-face with the district.

But instead of satisfaction, they say it felt more like a funeral.

Only 37 teachers and employees who worked for the district came to this meeting.

A small group but they share the same frustrations and concerns of the 600-plus who lost their jobs.

Former DISD teachers and employees walked into the board room to voice their frustrations.

It was their time to be heard.

Marilyn Gifford, an elementary school teacher for years with the district, got only minutes to be heard.

"I had 14, 15 years of stuff in my classroom. I had three hours to call my family to get out. In 14 years, that was the thanks I got and three minutes to say what I felt. Not a good school district, the one I thought I was working for," she said.

Our camera was not allowed inside but many of the speakers told us it was heart-wrenching.

"It was so emotional that I had to step out and you know shed some tears. It was really too much to take in," said Meco Robinson, a former DISD teacher.

After the layoff, Robison, an elementary math teacher, found a new job. She came here looking for answers but got nowhere.

"It like it was almost like talking to a wall. We got no answers," she said.

No answers, no comments from the panel representing the district.

Phillip Samples, the audio visual technician, thought this hearing would be a chance for a new job - one he desperately needs.

"I've got to man up and take care of my family. I have to go find employment," he said.

That's what Jacqueline James has been doing for weeks. She worked in data control for 19 years and she is still searching.

"It's really hard for me to get up every morning and not go to a job. I need to work," she said.

E-mail mdiaz@wfaa.com.