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NORWAY -- Michigan educators continued their campaign Monday against state education cuts.  Forty rallies took place statewide including U.P. rallies in Ishpeming, Houghton, and Norway.

Around 70 educators, parents, and students were in Norway's Marion Park this evening to vent their frustration about cuts to the education system.

The message at Monday evening's education rally in Norway was loud and clear.  With this rally, along with 39 others across the state, the Michigan Education Association and community members are hoping legislators will listen to their demand of more funding for education.

"We are the ones that are in the forefront of education, we are the ones at the front lines,” said M.E.A. Board Member Jim Sparapani.  “We are the ones that if we don't say something for our young children, who is going to?"

The problem hits close to home in Dickinson County.  Every school district has seen its enrollment drop at least 15 percent over the last 10 years.

Those affected, like Bob Hanchek, a bus driver for North Central School District in Powers for the last 38 years, are frustrated with the lack of solutions.

"I think it's the worst it’s ever been the way they've been cutting and cutting and they make the schools shrink their budget,” said Hanchek.  “We try to keep all the people employed that need a job, and they keep sending less money, and it's tough to operate."

Sparapani sees education as the answer to many of the state's problems and is fighting for it to become a long-term solution.

"Michigan has always had a very, very, very, good educational system,” he said.  “We want it to continue, but without adequate funding, that no longer can happen."

These rallies are only the beginning for the M.E.A.  The organization is planning a rally in Lansing June 24 and is expecting more than 10,000 people to be part of it.