Five Mercer Island families headed south to Olympia during the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday to rally together with families and lawmakers from across the state to let everyone know how important school funding dollars are.

The annual PTA Rally in Olympia urges legislators and lawmakers not to cut school funding, chanting “Cuts hurt kids” on the steps of the capital.

At the rally Gov. Christine Gregoire addressed the crowd, as did Rep. Marcie Maxwell, D-Renton, and State Superintendent Randy Dorn.

Over 800 parents, children and teachers attended the event, more than expected, including five Mercer Island families.