What NC Superintendent Mo Green says about the mass teacher march in Raleigh
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Mo Green expressed support for teachers' concerns but didn’t explicitly endorse protest.
- At least 17 school districts canceled classes because staff requested May 1 off.
- NCAE demands include a 25% pay increase and increased school funding.
North Carolina teachers will march in downtown Raleigh on Friday without the opposition of the state’s top educator.
Democratic State Superintendent Mo Green released a statement on Wednesday that doesn’t explicitly support or oppose the May 1 mass protest that has resulted in school districts across the state canceling classes. It’s a change from 2018 and 2019 when then Republican State Superintendent Mark Johnson criticized the decision to hold the mass protests during school hours.
“Our top priority in North Carolina public schools is our students,” Green said in his statement. “Our educators know that the most important place they can be on any school day is with the students who depend on them.
“Those educators also deserve to be paid appropriately for their incredible work that is leading to historic academic achievements for our state. When they are not receiving adequate compensation, it is important that their voices be heard.”
Green: ‘Grateful’ to teachers marching on Friday
The North Carolina Association of Educators has encouraged teachers and other school employees across the state to request May 1 off to participate in the “Kids Over Corporations” march in downtown Raleigh.
As of Wednesday, at least 17 school districts have canceled classes on May 1 because they don’t have enough people to cover for all the employees who’ve requested the day off.
Among the NCAE demands are a 25% increase in school employee pay and an increase in school funding. A report released this week by the National Education Association ranked North Carolina 46th in the nation this school year in both average teacher pay and per-pupil spending.
“The concerns being raised by educators are concerns I share: low pay, inadequate funding, the need for more support staff and resources,” Green said in his statement.
Green said that he’s hopeful that there’s a path forward for substantial investment in teacher pay and public education. He cited Democratic Gov. Josh Stein’s budget proposal, the budget request from him and the State Board of Education and what he called early signals from House budget leaders.
“I believe that the educators marching on May 1, as well as the educators in schools that day, are part of why those proposals are gaining momentum,” Green said. “I am grateful to all of them.”
A spokesperson for Green said the superintendent will not be attending Friday’s march. Instead, Green will be visiting the Alleghany County school system in northwestern NC, which has not canceled classes on Friday.
Predecessor criticized protesting during school hours
The response to this year’s NCAE protest, as well as past marches, has been more critical from Republican elected officials.
Both House Speaker Destin Hall and Senate leader Phil Berger were dismissive of the upcoming rally, The News & Observer previously reported.
“Overwhelmingly, most teachers from the state will be at work on Friday,” Hall told the N&O. “And you know, the group that I understand is putting that on doesn’t spend the time they should on teacher pay raises. They’re more worried about other left wing political interests.”
Mark Johnson was state superintendent in May 2018 and May 2019 when NCAE last held its mass marches.
In 2018, Johnson said the protest should have been held during non-school hours. In 2019, Johnson reiterated his criticism of NCAE holding the protest during a time that would cause some schools to close.
“Protesting is a right that can be just as effective during non-school hours,” Johnson said in a 2019 statement. “Closing schools affects not only students’ learning and nutrition, but also parents, other school employees, and other teachers.”
Johnson served only one term as state superintendent when he unsuccessfully ran for the GOP nomination for lieutenant governor. Catherine Truitt was elected superintendent in 2020 but lost in the 2024 Republican Primary to Michele Morrow.
Green defeated Morrow in 2024 to become the superintendent of public instruction.
