Liz Schlemmer

The line of educators wrapped for blocks as they circled the state legislature.

Nearly two dozen school districts closed to students because of the number of school employees who requested leave.

The North Carolina Association of Educators organized the protest to call for better school funding and pay.

North Carolina is the only state that has not yet passed a budget, which would fund the current school year that is nearly over.

That means the teachers have gone without substantive raises amid rising inflation, and schools have gone without any additional funding.

Liz Schlemmer for NPR News.