The loosely formed group came together just weeks ago when they learned cuts in funding would spell a loss of teachers and programs next school year.

When Senator Steve Oelrich cancelled a scheduled meeting, they came anyway.

"I work just like everyone else out here," said Gary Appelson, concerned parent. "I don't do things like this. We're just here because we had a meeting with the senator."

But in a phone interview, the senator said he's postponed the meeting with parents so he can work on setting up a town hall meeting with Senator Don Gates, chairman of K-12 education.

Parents want the senator to ask the governor for a special legislative meeting.

Demonstrators said they aren't targeting Senator Oelrich specifically, but all legislative leaders. The reason? They want the state to release reserve funds.

Senator Oelrich said education isn't the only thing suffering from budget cuts.

"Education is part of that obviously, but it's not the whole picture so I'd hate to weaken the reserve funds in a situation we might pull out of in a year," said Oelrich.

As of 4p.m. this afternoon, the many parent groups have collectively raised over $65,000, which they hope will save school programs and teachers. They received an additional $300,000 from two donors who wish to remain anonymous, but they are still a long way away from their target of a million dollars.