Classified workers with Durham Public Schools rallied Tuesday ahead of a public hearing, calling for funding support for raises they say are critical to making ends meet.
Employees say they continue to suffer while the agency sits on so much money.
According to an April report, the estimated average salary for public school teachers in the 2023-24 school year in North Carolina was $58,292, below the national average of $72,030.
"I think all of us are seeing our grocery bills shoot up, our rent shoot up, but our wages are not going up at the same rate."
North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein has signed a stopgap spending measure as lawmakers remain stuck in a budget impasse.
Lawmakers approved a mini budget spending more than $1 billion that would keep the state government moving and tackle some immediate issues