RALEIGH -- Some Republican state senators are criticizing activity at a Wake County school next week for a day of action promoted by the North Carolina Association of Educators.

Senate leader Phil Berger's office cited a request for volunteers at one Raleigh elementary school to substitute for teachers briefly while they meet as proof of a "politically-motivated one-hour strike." Raleigh parent Michelle Douglas said a flier was sent home asking for volunteers to cover for teachers for an hour while the event was taking place.

Douglas added, "To have a protest on school campus, during instructional hours, to support a group with a very open political agenda, I think is highly inappropriate. I think if it waddles and quacks don't tell me it's a hippopotamus and expect me to believe that."

NCAE President Rodney Ellis says the substitution may not be the best approach but defended the walk-in and says the group doesn't support a strike.