Pinellas teachers rallying today at major intersections

For the third year in a row, sign-toting Pinellas teachers are scheduled to rally at busy intersections today to protest legislative proposals they say will hurt public schools.

Unlike the past two years, there isn't a single issue — legislation that radically overhauled the teaching profession — to galvanize teachers. But many are upset about historically deep cuts to education spending and new bills this legislative session, including one that would give parents more power to restructure struggling schools.

Today's events are scheduled at 4 p.m. for McMullen-Booth Road and State Road 580 in Clearwater and Fourth Street and 38th Avenue N in St. Petersburg.

"All of these devastating changes to our public schools are the direct result of Rick Scott and Tallahassee politicians rewarding their political backers," the Pinellas teachers union said in a press release.

Hundreds of teachers attended the rallies in 2010 and 2011.