Local elementary and high schools took part by holding petition drives and informational picketing. In Natomas, history teacher Ken McPherson with Inderkum High School says they held a mock funeral.

"We had a casket out and several tombstones with various programs that are no longer going to be with us after these devastating budget cuts."

…programs like police on campus and nurse's aids. Natomas Unified is facing $15 million in budget cuts.

Elk Grove's Monterey Trail High School put on a similar mock funeral. Business teacher Cathy Rieger says the students also held a disaster simulation in which they laid on the ground.

"It's designed to symbolize the disastrous cuts and the impacts that those cuts are having on students."

Elk Grove Unified is looking at a $60 million budget shortfall. And Rieger says students are worried.

"There's been a lot of concern from the students in terms of losing our library. They're also very concerned about losing their counselors.

Rieger says if there's a bright spot in any of this, it's that she's been able to use the issue as a teachable moment…presenting students with a valuable lesson in civic engagement.