Last year, thousands of North Carolina public educators gathered in Raleigh to advocate for improvements in public schools. This year’s rally is scheduled on a school day, and OS1 would like to help educators who aren’t able to attend in person.
Iredell-Statesville Schools closed last year given the large number of teacher absences due to the rally. This year, the I-SS Board of Education has decided to keep schools open and restrict time-off requests for only those teachers and staff members who can find a substitute.
Our Schools First is offering to find parent volunteers who will walk in place of a local educator. The STAND UP, STAND IN campaign will coordinate parents and educators and give them a voice in the May 1st rally.
PARENTS, sign up to walk on behalf of an educator here.
TEACHERS/STAFF, sign up for a parent to walk in your place here.
WATCH: OS1’s president, Beth Packman, explains why we’ve started the Stand Up, Stand In project:
At the recent NCAE convention, delegates from across the state drafted these requests from the North Carolina General Assembly:
- Provide enough school librarians, psychologists, social workers, counselors, nurses, and other health professionals to meet national professional-to-student standards
- Provide $15 minimum wage for all school personnel, 5% raise for all ESPs (non-certified staff), teachers, administrators, and a 5% cost of living adjustment for retirees
- Expand Medicaid to improve the health of our students and families
- Reinstate state retiree health benefits eliminated by the General Assembly in 2017
- Restore advanced degree compensation stripped by the General Assembly in 2013