NCAE, Democratic lawmakers speaker out on teachers’ day

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) – Critics of the Republican-led North Carolina General Assembly say low morale within the teaching profession needs to be reversed.

North Carolina Association of Educators President Rodney Ellis, Democratic legislators and others plan to talk about it during a news conference Tuesday. The day is observed by the National Education Association and National PTA as National Teacher Day.

The event comes as state House members evaluate Gov. Pat McCrory’s budget proposal for next year. It includes an average 5 percent pay raise for teachers and bonuses of $1,100 or $5,000 tied to experience.

Republicans have approved teacher pay raises of some kind each of the past two years. NCAE leaders have said they weren’t large enough or disrespected veteran educators.

NCAE backs McCrory’s re-election challenger, Democrat Roy Cooper.Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.