AN OPEN LETTER: CMS teacher explains why he'll march in Raleigh

"Dear Students,

No doubt you've been hearing a lot of talk lately about North Carolina schools closing on May 1. An unexpected day off is always big news. But one in which school districts all over the state are closing so teachers can go to our state's capital and march is even bigger."

That's an excerpt from an open letter to the students of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools teacher Justin Parmenter, published by "Education Week," about why teachers are marching on Wednesday.

[RELATED: Several local school districts to close for teacher rally in Raleigh]

He told Channel 9 he wrote the letter to explain what's going on in a way they can understand and counter some negative comments about the rally.

>> Channel 9 education reporter Elsa Gillis will be in Raleigh Wednesday and we'll have coverage of the teacher rally throughout the day on Eyewitness News.

"I want them to understand that this is not about all of us taking a day to watch Netflix," Parmenter said. "What this is about is us trying to bring positive changes which is going to result in a better education for them and better futures for them."

One of those changes he talks about in the letter is raising pay for all staff.

"They work so hard to get you to school, welcome parents and visitors in the front office, feed you so you're ready to learn, and keep our buildings clean every day. Unfortunately, many of our employees have to go to another job as soon as they leave school, sometimes working a total of 70 to 80 hours a week just so they can pay their rent and afford groceries."

[RELATED: CMS cancels classes on day of teacher rally in Raleigh]

And he explains the push for more support staff:

"Have you noticed that many times when you're sick there's nobody in the nurse's office to help you? How too often when you need to talk to someone they're already in a meeting?"

"We don’t always have somebody in place when a child needs help," Parmenter told Channel 9.

He said he wants students to know they're not being abandoned Wednesday, but being fought for by people who love what they do.

Click here to read the full letter.

Channel 9 also spoke with the spouse of a CMS teacher about what they go through behind the scenes.  She explained her husband works two jobs in addition to his job as science and band teacher to support their family. She said he works seven days a week.

Cox Media Group