The Latest: 2nd largest school district cancels classes

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) - The Latest on the upcoming teacher rally (all times local):

5:20 p.m.

North Carolina’s second largest school district is canceling classes for one day this month to allow its teachers to attend a pro-education rally.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Superintendent Clayton Wilcox said in a news release Friday he has designated May 16 as an optional teacher workday for the system.

Wilcox said approximately 2,000 teachers and staff members will be absent on the day of the rally and he expects the number to increase as the day of the rally gets closer. The superintendent also said many of those heading for the rally don’t have substitutes and there aren’t enough to cover all requests.

He also said Wilcox he respected the right of teachers to make their voices heard in Raleigh.

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2:20 p.m.

Another North Carolina school district has decided to cancel classes one day this month because so many teachers want off to attend a pro-education gathering at the Legislative Building.

The Chapel Hill-Carrboro school board voted unanimously Thursday to turn May 16 into an optional teacher work day. The Herald-Sun of Durham reports nearly one-quarter of the district’s 1,200 teachers already have requested the day off.

The Durham County school board decided Wednesday to cancel May 16 classes, as more than 1,000 teachers requested a personal day.

Thousands are expected on the first day of the General Assembly’s session for the “March for Students and Rally for Respect,” organized by the North Carolina Association of Educators. Association members are unhappy with teacher salary and school funding decisions by the Republican-controlled legislature.

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Information from: The Herald-Sun, http://www.herald-sun.com