UPDATE: LANSING - The state legislature passed two bills Wednesday, though citizens rallied against them at the Capitol.

The Save Michigan's Public Schools Rally, held on the Capitol Lawn, brought teachers, parents and legislators together against House Bills 4813 and 4815.

The bills, which passed in the Senate late Wednesday night, allow the State Treasurer and State Superintendent to dissolve financially distressed school districts.

The House Bills 4813 and 4815 allow the Buena Vista and Inkster school districts to be dissolved. Under the bills, the dissolved districts' students and property would be moved to one or more nearby districts, but school employees would not necessarily be transferred.


ORIGINAL STORY: LANSING - Hundreds were in the crowd during The Save Michigan's Public Schools rally, held at the State Capitol. Ralliers banded together against standardized testing, for-profit charter schools, and legislation affecting Michigan public school districts.

House Bills 4813 and 4815, which would let the State Superintendent and State Treasurer take control of financially stressed school districts, were a major topic at the rally. If passed, the pending proposals would allow for the Buena Vista and Inskter school districts to be dissolved.

Many at the rally spoke against such takeover of public schools.

"Really we feel like education is being taken out of the hands of educators and put in the hands of politicians and corporations who see our kids as dollar signs," said Stephanie Keiles, an eighth grade math teacher for Plymouth-Canton Community Schools and co-organizer of the rally.

Others speakers such as Senate Democratic Leader Gretchen Whitmer and Democratic Candidate for Michigan Governor, March Schauer spoke with similar sentiments, and encouraged all to vote for candidates who will prioritize public education in 2014.