LAFAYETTE -- Parents and children stood in the rain Thursday blowing bubbles and holding signs to express dissatisfaction with the state's education budget. Their message: "Don't blow it."
The statewide public awareness campaign was coordinated by the grass-roots group Educate our State to coincide with March 15 -- the day school districts in California issue pink slips to notify teachers that they could lose their jobs in June.
State education funding for next year hinges on whether voters approve Gov. Jerry Brown's proposed tax increase in November.
Outside Springhill Elementary in Lafayette, about 50 bubble-blowers were energized by honks from passing cars as they sent dozens of translucent spheres gliding through the air.
"We passed a parcel tax last year in May, so that allowed us not to do any layoffs," said parent Jenifer Paul. "But we've had cuts the three years prior. And just like everybody else, come November, we don't know where we will be."
More information about Educate our State is available at www.educateourstate.org.