S.C. district closing for teacher walkout

COLUMBIA (AP) - South Carolina's seventh-largest school district is calling off classes Wednesday during a planned teacher protest in Columbia because of the number of teachers taking the day off.

Dorchester School District 2 said more than half the teachers have asked for the day off at some schools. Dorchester joins Chester County schools in closing Wednesday.

Online teacher group SC for Ed is calling for teachers to take the day off Wednesday to march on the Statehouse and demand better pay, smaller class sizes and a guaranteed break not watching children.

Gov. Henry McMaster and some of his fellow Republican legislative leaders say the walkout sends the wrong message.

State data shows Dorchester 2 has about 26,000 students.

District officials said trustees will meet next week to determine a makeup day.