NC Schools Close for Teacher Protest

0:00Schools across North Carolina are shutting down this Friday, May 1st, as teachers flock to a massive protest in downtown Raleigh. Districts from Pitt County on the coast to Gaston County near Charlotte announced the closures Monday, turning it into an optional workday for staff, due to overwhelming leave requests. The push comes from the North Carolina Association of Educators urging employees statewide to join the March on the legislative building. They're demanding more funding for public schools, with thousands expected to show up, though most lawmakers skip Fridays anyway. Families are scrambling with last minute child care headaches, and districts get it. Alabama's Burlington and others thank parents for their patience, stressing the need to support staff while keeping kids safe. At least 12 districts have now canceled classes, like Thomasville and Pitt County, where 500 staff called out, but only enough subs for 300 spots. Their office teams couldn't cover the gaps either. More closures could pop up any day now, as final leave requests roll in, leaving everyone

1:01watching how this rally shakes up the fight for better school. Budgets. This has been Durham News Today, powered by AI.