Teachers from across North Carolina gathered in Raleigh to engage in the "Kids Over Corporations" rally to increase funding for public schools. Photo courtesy of EdNC.

by Brody Dixon

On Friday, May 1st thousands of educators and advocates across North Carolina gathered in Downtown Raleigh at Halifax Mall for a rally organized by the North Carolina Association of Education (NCAE). The rally was called “Kids Over Corporation" and was coordinated to demand increased funding for public schools, better teacher pay and a halt to the expansion of private school vouchers. Over 20 school districts cancelled school on Friday, making it an optional teacher workday or a remote learning day to accommodate the great number of teachers who put in leave requests for the protest. 

The rally was prompted by a broader issue within North Carolina’s bicameral legislative branch, consisting of both the Senate and House of Representatives. This branch is called the General Assembly, and has multiple functions, chief among them being setting state budget policy. Last year, North Carolina was the only state in the country that did not pass a new comprehensive state budget. During the rally/protest, thousands marched into the Legislative Building to demand the General Assembly pass a budget that appropriately funds public schools. 

Following the rally, further pressure has been placed on the General Assembly to pass a $1.4 billion budget that addresses the concerns of educators across the state with a strong emphasis on raising teacher pay and school staffing shortages. It is still quite early to observe any action taken, but the anticipated adjournment of this year’s short General Assembly session is August 31st, 2026.