Teachers rally in Wake County as district weighs special education cuts

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- Wake County teachers walked out Thursday morning to protest potential cuts to special education funding as district leaders warn of difficult budget decisions ahead.

Educators gathered outside Enloe High School in Raleigh, urging the district to increase investment in special education rather than reduce it. The demonstration comes as Wake County Public Schools works to finalize its upcoming budget.

Superintendent Robert Taylor previewed his proposal Tuesday, warning that the absence of a state spending plan has put the district in a challenging financial position. Taylor said cuts to special education remain a possibility as the district looks for ways to close funding gaps.

The North Carolina Association of Educators has been calling for additional special education funding, arguing that reductions would severely harm students and staff. The group says the current budget outline would cut $18 million and eliminate about 130 special education teaching positions.

District officials are expected to release specific details of the proposed cuts on April 7.

Thursday's walk-in protest at Enloe was expected to begin shortly after sunrise, with another demonstration planned in Fuquay Varina at 8:30 a.m.