Teachers and parents made their voice heard at the State Capitol, telling Governor Deal they opposed a half day for Georgia's pre-k students.  Deal listened to their pleas, but heavy funding cuts may leave those involved searching for answers and that includes many programs right here in middle Georgia.

"We spend 43,000 a year on a prisoner; we spend 4,300 a year on a pre-k child. Where's the justice in that," asked Blanche Lamb, the director of the Early Learning Center in Baldwin County.

Lamb cringes at the thought that education for Georgia's youngest minds could be dwindling. Her concerns stem from Gov. Deal's proposed cuts to the pre-k program. Lamb says the cuts will hurt the overall education of students because experienced teachers, who could see their salaries reduced, will move to other jobs.

"A first year teacher verses someone who has been teaching for a number of years. So we're understanding that is not going to be recognized any longer which is very disappointing and over time will be the deterioration of the quality of education in my opinion," said Lamb.

Gov. Deal's newest plan will shorten the school year for Pre-k from 180 days to 160 days, a move that could impact parents heavily.

"Now if you've got elementary schools, and middle schools and high schools starting early August and then your pre-k child can't start until after Labor Day. That's a whole month that you're going to have find care for them and then pay for it," said Lee Blount, a parent and teacher from Milledgeville.

Enrollment will increase, but budgets will decrease, Gov. Deals plan increases class sizes from 20 students to 22.

The plan will also add 2,000 new slots to Georgia's pre-k and will bring enrollment to 86,000 children. The overall proposal cuts $54 million out of the pre-k budget. The specifics of the plan concern Lamb the most.

"Where as I would see the governor's office establishing the budget and letting the Department of Early Care and Learning, DCAL which regulates pre-k, work on the details," said Lamb.

In Deal's proposed plan, teachers will receive 90% of their current salaries. In the original half-day proposal, they would receive 70% of their salaries.

The proposal also says pre-k providers will get 94% of the operating funds they currently receive.