Raleigh teachers' rally: Who, where, when, why
Frequently asked questions about the May 16 teachers rally in downtown Raleigh.
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Up to 15,000 teachers from more than three dozen school systems in the state.
Where are they marching?
In the afternoon, teachers and supporters will gather outside the Legislative Building to rally from about 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Won't that kind of crowd cause a traffic hassle?
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The organizations that run Raleigh's downtown parking garages and police its streets are not planning anything special to accommodate teachers.
Construction projects along Wilmington Street between Lenoir and Cabarrus will continue to limit traffic lanes and could add to any congestion delays.
What will the weather be like?
The pattern of showers, thunderstorm and humidity is here to stay through the end of the week.
"You will want the rain gear," WRAL Chief Meteorologist Greg Fishel said. "It could be raining at any point throughout the day."
Teachers will gather at NCAE headquarters to march to the legislative building in the morning, then will rally on Bicentennial Plaza, between the history and science museums, from about 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Neither of those time windows will be more rainy or dry than the other, Fishel said.
Why are they marching?
- Per-pupil spending to the national average in four years
- A multi-year professional compensation and benefits plan for all educators that includes:
- Ending experienced educator pay discrimination
- Average teacher pay to national average in four years
- Significant and livable raises for all public school employees
- Restoring advanced degree pay
- Restoring longevity pay
- Annual cost-of-living increase
- Enhanced and protected health insurance and pension
- Ending pay for performance based on test scores, including for administrators
- Reinstating career status
- Real dedicated planning time and lunch time
- At least 500 additional school nurses, social workers, and counselors this year
- Improve health options for our most vulnerable students by expanding Medicaid
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- Fix our crumbling schools and large class sizes with a $1.9 billion statewide school construction bond
- No corporate tax cuts until per-pupil spending and teacher pay reach the national average
Many schools are closed. So is this a strike?
What time is this all happening?
The teachers plan to end the day with a 3:30 p.m. rally in Bicentennial Plaza, which is scheduled to wrap up around 4:30.
Where can working parents turn for childcare?
Raleigh parks department will host day camps from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The cost is $30 for city residents and $45 for non-city residents. The locations are at Lake Lynn, Barwell Road, Laurel Hills and Peach Road community centers.
The YMCA of the Triangle also announced special day camps at locations across the Triangle. The cost will be $25 for the day, which runs from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Space is limited.
Museums, including Kidzu in Chapel Hill and Marbles in downtown Raleigh, are offering day-long events that include lunch.
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