COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — More school districts in South Carolina are canceling classes ahead of a Wednesday teacher rally that’s expected to pull thousands of educators out of school.
Richland School District 1 and Sumter County schools said Tuesday they will keep students home. Both districts said too many teachers asked for the day off to be able to safely watch children.
Richland 1 includes downtown Columbia and has about 24,000 students. Sumter County schools have about 16,500 students.
Teachers are seeking smaller class sizes, better pay and a guaranteed break every day.
Lexington-Richland District 5, Dorchester District 2, Colleton County and Chester County schools had already cancelled Wednesday classes.
About 95,000 of South Carolina’s 781,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade will miss school Wednesday.