WTOP is reporting that today D.C. Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee used her newly gained authority to eliminate jobs at the DCPS central office to fire at least 100 nonunion employees. The employees will be placed on administrative leave until March 22, and include no current teachers or school staff.

D.C. Protective Services Police was called to DCPS headquarters to escort the fired employees from the building and keep the peace should there be any disruptions or outbursts. The DCPS central office is often criticized as inefficient and bureaucratic, and Rhee has previously threatened to eliminate central office jobs. The number of employees fired constitutes nearly a quarter of the jobs Rhee has power over under the authority granted her by the D.C. Council.

The Post is quoting an anonymous DCPS official:

“Terminations are intended to allow DCPS to discharge its administrative functions efficiently with the appropriate number of people and to address performance concerns,” the official added.

If D.C. was waiting for a sign that Rhee was serious about overhauling the D.C. schools system from the top down, this was it. Now let’s hold our breath for the backlash.