As hundreds of teachers and supporters marched around Detroit Public Schools' headquarters Monday, the district's state-appointed leader said lawmakers must pass a long-term $715 million rescue package to avoid payless paydays this summer in Michigan's largest school system.

"The legislature understands the urgency and importance of the situation and I believe they will act in a timely manner to ensure operations will continue," Emergency Manager Steven Rhodes said at a news conference in the Fisher Building. He and the district's interim superintendent, Alycia Meriweather, urged district employees, parents and others to contact legislators.

"We will not be able to operate after June 30," Rhodes said. "Everyone who has a stake in this should urge the legislators to act promptly."

Rhodes said that means some teachers who chose to spread their paychecks over the entire year would not receive scheduled payments in July.

He said Monday that teachers should not be surprised the district will run out of money for paychecks after June 30 without approval of a rescue package in Lansing.