Colorado Springs School District 11 will be closed April 27  “in anticipation of high levels of teacher participation at a rally in Denver,” Superintendent Nicholas Gledich said in a statement.

The cancellation of school is necessary because the district doesn’t have “enough substitute teachers or administrators to cover the projected number of teacher absences,” the statement says.

An afternoon rally is planned for Friday at the Colorado state Capitol to advocate for more state education funding, education news nonprofit Chalkbeat reported.

The Colorado Springs Education Association “is joining in support of the statewide education association in supporting this statewide teacher rally,” Gledich’s statement says. “As you may be aware, K-12 public education funding and the long-term stabilization of the Public Employees’ Retirement Association (PERA) system are problematic in Colorado.

“Public education school boards, staff, parents, and other supporters have become increasingly vocal in their advocacy for increased funding for our statewide K-12 public schools and the stabilization of PERA. There is a belief among these groups that years of low funding is having a significant impact on our ability to attract quality candidates into the teaching profession and is impeding the ability to effectively deliver the high level of educational experience our students deserve.”

Extracurricular activities will be held Friday unless otherwise announced.

“I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause our families, but I’m pleased to be able to make the announcement in advance so families may make needed arrangements,” Gledich’s statement said.