COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Angry teachers confronted the D-2 school board on Tuesday. Forty eight probationary teachers found out their contracts would not be renewed next year, and some are blaming the district's new evaluation process. D-2 has adopted a pay-for-performance plan, and it means teachers are now judged on their performance, as well as student achievement. Some argue that makes it impossible to succeed.

"Some of the best teachers I know are either choosing to leave voluntarily this year or are leaving because they have no choice," said Victor Fitzjarrald, a science teacher at Harrison High School.

He's in the latter group. He got a letter saying his contract would not be renewed.

"The only thing I was marked down for was student performance data," said Fitzjarrald. "They said my teaching was great, but my students were not performing."

He said half of his students are special education or English as a Second Language.

"The idea there is we're getting rid of teachers who are willing to teach students who are the most difficult," Fitzjarrald said.

Other teachers also feel student achievement scores are why they're out of job.

"My scores were all satisfactory," one teacher told the board. "I do not feel I was given adequate reasoning concerning my dismissal."

The new evaluation process started mid-way through this school year, when D-2 decided to pay teachers based on their performance. It's the first district in the state to use the model.

"We're just trying to find a common ground, take a breather and sort this out," said Laura Stephens, president of the Harrison Education Association. "For many of us, it's confusing and it's not making sense."

D-2 spokesperson Jennifer Sprague says every year some probationary teachers, those who've been with the district less than three years, don't have their contracts renewed.

"It's just the same as in previous years," said Sprague.

She added that staff should be well aware of the new evaluation process.

"Everyone's been informed about it, we've communicated the evaluation to the principals and staff, and it's been on the website," said Sprague.

Some at Tuesday's meeting were tenured teachers there to support their colleagues. One told NEWSCHANNEL 13 that morale at the district is the lowest he's seen in 24 years of teaching, mainly due to the new plan. One student was at the meeting as well, there on behalf of Fitzjarrald.

"He's one of the best teachers," said Miguel Seda, a junior at Harrison H.S. "He will do anything for you."