Arizona teachers plan statewide action over low pay

PHOENIX - Arizona teachers and education advocates are planning a day of action across the state to highlight low teacher pay and school funding.

The grassroots group Arizona Educators United and a group called Save Our Schools Arizona that forced a vote on a school voucher expansion plan events in Phoenix, Tucson and seven other cities Wednesday.

Advocates say they want to send a clear message to Governor Doug Ducey and lawmakers that they have had enough of the current education policy.

The main event is at the state Capitol in Phoenix on March 28 and will begin at 4:00 p.m. The educators group plans to lay out its demands for teacher pay increases and boosts to other school funding. Teachers will also grade Gov. Ducey on his performance. Afterwards, several teachers are scheduled to give speeches.

Arizona Educators United has held Capitol protests since early March. A sickout last week by Pendergast Elementary School District teachers shuttered most schools in the west Phoenix and Glendale district.

Save Our Schools is responsible for referring Proposition 305 -- voucher expansion to the November 2018 ballot.

Arizona teachers are among the lowest paid in the nation.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.