Michelle Rhee Lays Out Plans For Sacramento Schools

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson and his wife Michelle Rhee have kicked off an event to transform schools across the country, and they're learning a lesson, not everyone's on board.

The Mayor and his wife are behind Students First. It is headquartered in Sacramento, but hasn't started pushing for education reform in California until now.

The group is looking to change state laws focusing on budgeting money efficiently, pushing parental involvement, and keeping good teachers.

"Who are your most highly effective teachers and you have to make the decisions based on the value they're adding to students and schools," explained Student First founder Michelle Rhee.

It's a policy that doesn't sit well with the unions.

Several people gathered outside the Students First kick off in a silent protest with signs reading "Michelle Rhee – Stop Union Busting for the One Percent".

The crowd also taped their mouths shut in reference to a story Michelle Rhee told about her early days teaching. She talked about taping students' mouths when they were talking too much walking down school hallways.