Guilford County Schools announced its support this afternoon for a "Walk-In Day" on Monday to support "teachers and other school-based staff." The press release called on county school employees and their supporters to wear red in support of public education.
Statewide actions are planned for Monday protesting "the damage done to our public schools during the 2013 session of the North Carolina General Assembly," according to education group Organize 2020. Here's more from the release (emphasis not mine):
Over the past few years, teachers have faced cuts in the classroom, legislative changes that impact teaching and learning, and salaries that are among the lowest in the country:
On average, North Carolina teachers make far less than their counterparts in other states. Currently, North Carolina teacher pay ranks 46th in the United States, down five spots from the year before, when North Carolina teacher pay ranked 41st. In addition, our schools have lost more than $42 million in state funding in the last five years.
As many media outlets have reported, some groups are encouraging teachers across North Carolina to stage a statewide walkout on Monday, Nov. 4. In GCS, we know our teachers will instead be working in their classrooms, putting children first.
That’s why GCS is holding Walk-In Day on that date. We are encouraging all our employees, students, parents, business and community partners and others across Guilford County to wear RED in support of public ed and visit any of our 126 schools before 10 a.m. Bring a thank-you note, a letter of support or a sign – just to show our teachers we appreciate their hard work.
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