MARIETTA - About 160 laid-off teachers and school district employees from Cobb and other metro-Atlanta districts turned out Friday for a workshop in Marietta about what to do now.

In 60- to 90-minute workshops at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on the campus of Chattahoochee Technical College, representatives from the state Department of Labor and Cobb Works answered questions specific to school employees about how to file for unemployment, how to search for a new job and job re-training programs.

The sessions will continue today, at the same times, in Building H on the Chattahoochee Tech campus.

They are part of a series of programs for laid-off educators that will be conducted throughout the state this month. There will also be workshops next weekend in Dallas, at the Paulding campus of Chattahoochee Tech. Those sessions will be at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on June 11 and 12.

Like some other metro school districts, Cobb County is being forced to cut $126.7 million in its fiscal 2011 budget, and as a result has cut more than 1,000 teachers. The school board is expected to approve its $819 million budget on June 9 for fiscal year 2011, which begins July 1.

Most attendees on Friday did not want to speak on the record, expressing fear it would hurt their chances of being rehired.

But Jackie Lewenthal, a former teacher at Powers Ferry Elementary School, said she was cut because she worked part time for the last two years of her eight-year teaching tenure in Cobb.

"I'm kind of insulted and betrayed, to be quite honest," Lewenthal said. "All of us worked hard. I'm worried it's the children that are going to suffer the consequences."

She's willing to return full time and remains hopeful she will be rehired by the district. Lewenthal said she has been religiously checking the CCSD website for teaching openings, but so far none have been posted that she qualifies for.

State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond made a brief appearance at the Marietta session on Friday, to show his support and appreciation for teachers.

"We are very saddened by the layoffs, also we are very appreciative of our dedicated teachers," Thurmond said. "We are honored to be able to assist and support them at this time. ... Most of all we want them to know they are not alone."

"Please accept that it is not your fault," Thurmond told the teachers. "You did not do anything wrong."

The teachers lauded Thurmond for speaking to them. One teacher commented that he was the first elected official to speak publicly to laid-off teachers.

During the workshops, labor department staffers handed out a bag of materials for job seekers and those interested in going back to school for more education or training in technical programs.

Many teachers asked about filing for unemployment and benefits they could qualify for.

Laura Amaya, a Labor Department supervisor, encouraged all laid-off school district employees to file for unemployment after their last day of work. Teachers do not have to wait until their contract is up, which is June 30 for Cobb County teachers.

Amaya said eligibility for unemployment is established on a case-by-case basis. Candidates must prove they lost their job through no fault of their own, which she said applies to almost all of the teachers who were laid off, and that they are actively seeking work.

How much they can receive in benefits depends on the worker's most recent income, though the range is $44 to $330 per week for up to 26 weeks.

A person can only apply for unemployment once in a calendar year. School system employees who have been laid off can file for unemployment online through Georgia Department of Labor's website at www.dol.state.ga.us.

Speakers from Cobb Works encouraged those at Friday's workshops to consider becoming certified in other areas of work, to temporarily get back into the workforce.

Dr. Sanford Chandler, president of Chattahoochee Tech, also spoke to the teachers on Friday, announcing that not only is the college itself hiring teachers, but it is also targeting several short-term programs to teachers, such as stenography, geriatrics and hospice care.

"We want to get you back in the workforce as quickly as we can before the teaching market opens up again," Chandler said. The college is also waiving all application fees for laid-off teachers who want to enroll.