Hundreds of Minneapolis parents are making their voices heard, objecting to proposed cuts to special education in the city's school district.
Parents, students and staff crowded together outside this week's Minneapolis School Board meeting. The district is facing a $75 million budget shortfall and there's a proposal to cut special education.
"You know our message is really clear that parents are ready to fight back against these cuts," says Amanda Otero who is a parent and executive director of Take Action Minnesota's Minneapolis Families for Public Schools.
"What we understand from the district's own budget projections is cuts of about 100 special education assistants and another 30 special education teachers," she adds.
Administrators say they are working through the annual budget process which culminates in a school board vote on June 10.
But there's growing frustration and dissatisfaction with the Minneapolis Public School system according to a recent survey done by the group.
Otero says they heard from nearly a thousand parents and care-givers about the issues facing the district.
"And the results of that survey show that across all geographies and race, class size is the number one issue of concern for families that they're willing to advocate on," Otero explains.
Several hundred people showed up at the school board meeting this week sharing stories about how the proposed budget cuts will impact their families.