The legislature approved the raises as part of the state budget, but school districts must also fund matching raises and bonuses for locally funded employees.
Cumberland County Board of Education voted 5-3 to close Manchester Elementary and J.W. Coon.
Those difficult decisions included positions such as literacy coaches, assistant principal positions, and some support staff.
Organizers estimate the effort served more than 2,000 students across Durham
North Carolina is the only state in the country that has not passed a state budget, which affects teacher raises and education funding.
NC educators prepare for a mass protest on Friday, May 1 in downtown Raleigh.