DERBY, Kan. (AP) — Some Kansas lawmakers at a legislative forum endured more than an hour of criticism from teachers and their supporters over a new law that eliminates teacher tenure.

About 200 people packed Derby City Hall Monday night to attend the south-central Kansas legislative forum.

Most spoke against a provision in a new school funding law that they said removes protections for teachers from unreasonable firings. They also criticized lawmakers for enacting the provision with no public hearings or notice.

The Wichita Eagle reports  after listening to the complaints, Rep. Jim Howell, a Republican from Derby, said he doesn’t think the reaction to the law is as negative as the forum indicated. He says teachers organized the turnout and didn’t represent the opinions of the entire community.