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Large Crowd Rally in Annapolis Amid City Schools Budget Shortfall

BALTIMORE (WJZ)-- Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh says she will announce a funding plan Monday that will help close the city school district's $130 million budget shortfall.

Mayor Pugh spoke to a large crowd in Annapolis Thursday night.

A crowd made up of parents, students and many concerned teachers who wonder if they'll have a job this time next year.

RELATED: Baltimore City Public Schools Face Largest Budget Crisis Ever

"I will work on behalf of the citizens of Baltimore," says Pugh.

It comes as she also unveiled she will help close a nearly $130 million budget crisis facing the school district. Which in turn could mean massive teacher layoffs.

In an interview with our media partner the Baltimore Sun, Pugh said she would be speaking with state lawmakers over the weekend, adding she would reveal her plan Monday.

Education advocates told WJZ they hope their message was received loud and clear.

"There were still a few naysayers but I think actions speak louder than words and everyone just wants her to prove what she said," says education advocate Jerrica Stanley.

Some teachers took their plea right to the governor.

"Governor Hogan I know you're listening because you do care about our kids," says Athanasia Kriakakos, Maryland Teacher of the Year.

Many are asking "where's the money from casinos?"

Last month alone, casinos took in a record of more than $126 million. More than $25 million went to the State's education trust fund.

The problem is the big casino money is not being added to state funding for classrooms. As it comes in, it's replacing prior sources of education funding that the state is siphoning off for roads and other projects, leaving schools poorer than before.

All people can do for the moment is see what happens.

"We're going to keep fighting making sure that the gap gets closed, we're not going to back down," Stanley says.

The cuts are expected to happen July 1.

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