FORT PIERCE — Faced with unprecedented cuts to public schools, St. Lucie County teachers, school board members and community leaders are gathering Saturday to pressure legislators to “put kids first and cut education last.”

More than 1,000 people are expected to attend a rally and march at the school board offices on Okeechobee Road. They plan to gather at 9:30 a.m. and march at 10.

With state budget cuts, St. Lucie County schools lost about $23 million for the 2008-09 school year and are estimated to lose another $30 million in the 2009-10 school year, said Superintendent Michael Lannon.

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