— A group of Durham teachers were standing together Wednesday morning to send a message of disappointment.

The Durham Association of Educators will picket at four schools, saying calls for pay raises and better funding for education seem to have fallen on deaf ears.

Teachers called the General Assembly ending its session last week without a budget “a slap in the face.”

Six months ago, educators from all over North Carolina marched outside the Capitol.

But educators in Durham say there hasn’t been any action when it comes to their five demands, which include raises for staff and restoring advanced degree pay.

“We’re saying you have to find the money to give our kids the counselors that they need, the mental health supports that they need, the school librarians that they need, the nurses that they need,” said Bryan Profitt, a community school coordinator. “Our kids deserve all these things.”

“We’ve got a General Assembly that can find the money to give money back to wealthy people in the form of tax cuts but they can’t find the money for our kids?” Profitt continued.

Wednesday’s picketing will take place at Riverside and Hillside high schools and Southwest and Lakewood elementary schools

Lakewood’s principal told WRAL News that the teachers have his full support.

“We’re trying to bring attention to the fact that the General Assembly hasn’t passed a budget yet,” James Hopkins said. “We have teachers that are relying on the fact that they could potentially get raises. We need them to get raises. This affects their livelihood.”