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RALEIGH -- Hundreds of educators and parents from all over the state were in downtown Raleigh Saturday making their voices heard.

The North Carolina Association of Educators and N.C. PTA sponsored the Fund Schools First march and rally all in an effort to stop budget cuts to public education.

The message was loud and clear, no more cuts to public schools in our state. "We're here because we do care,” said Mary McCray from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.

She made the trip from Charlotte to the state capitol to be at the fund schools first rally. Many from the western part of the state caught a train to come together to Raleigh.

"People from the mountains, to the beach, the coastal plains, everybody's here,” said Tia Shue, a Wake County teacher.=

The General Assembly begins the 2010 budget session this coming week. They could vote on a budget with drastic cuts to public schools. More pain for teachers in Charlotte-Mecklenburg, they found out this week more than 500 won't have jobs next year.

"That is unacceptable," said McCray.

Some education heavy hitters agree and are doing what they can to convince lawmakers schools can't afford to lose any more money. "In our budget situation, schools should not take the hit of having to make cuts,” said Dr.. June Atkinson, the state Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Even though Go. Bev Perdue has promised a one-time pay increase of .5 percent for state employees like teachers, education leaders worry it's not enough.

"We really do believe the Governor is making a good faith effort, but we really have to say 'jobs first,'” said Sheri Strickland, President of NCAE.

"If we can save jobs, than we can wait for raises, we can wait for other perks,” Atkinson said.

McCray agrees and hopes lawmakers hear teachers' concerns for North Carolina's students.

"We are the makers of the future of this country,” McCray said.

Last year's state budget cuts eliminated more than 5,000 jobs in public schools. The state Senate is set to take up the budget this coming week. They could vote as early as Thursday.