Rally Protests School Budget Cuts

Teachers, parents and students gathered at the Duck Pond today to protest budget cuts to Temecula schools.

The "Rally for Education" started at 5:30 p.m. and was sponsored by the Temecula Valley Educators Association and the Temecula Valley Council PTA.

Some attendees said a speech by Superintendent Tim Ritter was the highlight of the event.

"Teachers really feel he supports us," said Kelly Maxey, a mother of three and a fifth grade teacher at .

Dozens of people held signs with messages denouncing education funding cuts as children chased each other around with balloons in hand.

Many parents attended to show support for the teachers who were given pink slips earlier this year.

"We're here to support our school, , and because one of our teachers, Mrs. Grover, was pink slipped. We're here to fight for her," said Carly Green, a mother of three.

Nine-year-old Auseyana Green stood nearby with a sign hung around her neck that read "I am a priority."

"She makes learning fun, and she's really nice," the third-grade Rancho Elementary student said about her teacher.

Another parent, Norma Rubio, came out to support Grover, who is her daughter's teacher. Her child said she was worried about Grover as they made their sign earlier today.

"When she was making our sign, she said, 'What's going to happen to Mrs. Grover?'" Rubio said.