N Street between Tulare and Mariposa streets in downtown Fresno will be closed starting at noon Wednesday after the Fresno Teachers Association received a permit from City Hall authorizing the closure, a city official said.

The closure is scheduled to remain in effect until 8 p.m., the official said.

N Street is behind Fresno Unified’s headquarters.

Fresno Teachers Association, which is in the midst of negotiating a new contract with Fresno Unified School District, is holding a rally from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. that organizers expect will be attended by more than 1,000 educators, parents, and community members. The rally will be held as the School Board meets inside the nearby Education Center.

As an incentive for teachers to attend the rally, the union is offering $5 coupons for food that will be sold from food trucks organized by Fresno Street Eats.

In a news release, FTA said the rally is to show support for the union’s “Plan for Reimagined Learning,” which includes smaller class sizes, emphasizing literacy, providing after-school tutoring, and improving school safety.

In their contract talks, the teachers also are seeking over four years, including the current school year, raises totaling 27%, bonuses totaling $27,500, overtime pay, and other benefits.

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