Wake County teachers protested Thursday over cuts to special education funding. 

Wake County special education teachers and staff received an email on Tuesday notifying them that the district is planning to cut its special education programs by $18 million.

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To do this, it would layoff special education teachers. 

The district says the programs would still follow state-recommended guidelines. 

Teachers gathered outside of Enloe High School in Raleigh for a "walk-in pickets" just before 7 a.m. Another protest was held at Fuquay-Varina Elementary at 8:30 a.m. 

The Wake County North Carolina Association of Educators said those layoffs would leave 130 special education teachers without a job. The group is calling on district leaders to fund critical staffing, support services and pay increases for special education programs.

This is what NCAE is asking leaders to include in the budget: 

  • No cuts to SPED programs or support, including proposed cuts to Cross Categorical Kindergarten, Middle School Essentials, or any special education positions
    • One additional behavior support position per school
      • Behavior support response teams at every school
        • Creation of a SPED program specialist/Coordinator role & funding for 100 positions
          • $200 per month increase in SPED incentive pay
            • A guaranteed minimum of 6 hours for part-time SPED safety assistants and 8 hours for full-time safety assistants
              • Reduce SPED caseload caps by 5 - 10 below state minimums

                Wake NCAE said it has met with district leadership and Board of Education members multiple times in recent weeks. Many educators voiced opposition over special education cuts at Tuesday's Board of Education meeting. 

                “What we’re demanding is not a wish list. These are not wants - they are necessities for our county’s most vulnerable children," Wake NCAE President Christina Cole said. "Each of these demands is essential to ensure students receive the resources, services, and support they need. Right now, what they need most is for district leadership to deliver on these commitments.”