CLEVELAND — Tuesday was a day of action for the Cleveland Teachers Union. 

Teachers and elected officials gathered outside Memorial School in Cleveland to participate in the national “Protect Our Kids” rally organized by the American Federation of Teachers. The walk-in and rally at raising awareness of potential federal and state funding cuts to public schools. 

“We have to be aware of what’s out there and we have to be vocal and make sure people understand, see it, and take action to help protect the things that are here, to protect all of our citizens, and the most important ones at this school is our kids, and we are here to protect our kids today,” said Jillian Ahrens, a first-grade teacher at Memorial School. 

Ahrens said that cuts to public education would mean a loss of resources for students with the greatest needs. Approximately 8,641 students in Cleveland rely on special education services and another 4,317 students are bilingual and depend on ESL services, according to the Cleveland Teachers Union. 

“It means cuts to students with disabilities,” Ahrens said. “It means cuts to students that are English language learners. It means cuts to career tech programs that help our students be prepared for their futures. Our kids need funds to help our teachers do our jobs to make sure they have everything they need in a public education forum. It is so important that public schools get public dollars.” 

Officially shuttering the Department of Education would take an act of Congress and the Trump administration said its focus will instead on making it more efficient. Some local lawmakers are also expressing concern for Gov. Mike DeWine’s, R-Ohio, proposed state budget, which cuts $103 million in state money for public schools while providing more money for charter schools and vouchers. Nearly 90% of students in Ohio attend public school. 

“Fully funding public schools and public education in Ohio is job one for legislators,” said State Senator Nickie Antonio, D-Ohio. “That’s our role. That’s our charge from the Ohio constitution to tell us we should fully fund public education.” 

“Public education is the backbone of our country, the backbone of this city. I’m just very alarmed and concerned about what these cuts could do to our city,” said Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb. 

The day of action didn’t just occur in Cleveland, but in cities across the country to encourage state and federal lawmakers to stand in support of public schools. 

“We are all scared and we don’t know what’s going to happen with potential federal and state cuts,” Ahrens said. “We provide a great education here for our students, we love our kids and want our kids to get the best resources and things they need to learn.”