‘Tired of begging’: Teacher rebellion shuts down Oklahoma, Kentucky schools

Thousands of teachers and public workers from across Kentucky flocked to the state Capitol on Monday morning to protest potential budget cuts to public education and the passage, last week, of a controversial package of changes to the state’s public pension system that teachers had opposed.

The protests were the latest by teachers from across the USA who say they “can’t wait any longer” and have forced schools to shut down in an effort to bring about change to the education systems in their states.

The Kentucky teachers are protesting a sudden retirement overhaul, while Oklahoma teachers are fighting for increased investment in their schools even after lawmakers voted them a substantial pay increase.

While the state legislature passed a series of bills raising revenue and giving teachers a $6,100 raise late last week, thousands of teachers across the state intend to walkout tomorrow.

On Friday, Edmond Public Schools Superintendent Bret Towne said that his district will be closed on Monday for the walkout.

Union leaders with @okcAFT have indicated that our teachers plan to continue the walkout tomorrow. And today, fired up educators are making their case for higher pay in Oklahoma, one of the lowest-paying states for teachers in the country.

But they’re demanding more than just raises. Like so many gendered professions, teachers are notoriously underpaid and undervalued.

The raise issued last week would increase the salary of inexperienced teachers by $5,000.

First-year teacher Diane Young said she’s already used to spending her own money on classroom supplies. He said that his participation in the Frankfort rally was to spread the message that legislators should fully fund public education.

Organizers estimated that more than 5,000 people gathered inside and outside the Capitol, though no official estimate was available.

In all the states where teachers have been voicing their dissatisfaction, lawmakers have spent decades handing out tax cuts to corporations while cutting funding for schools and leaving teachers with stagnant wages. Kentucky Education Association President Stephanie Winkler told Courier-Journal last week that teachers were watching lawmakers to see if their budget will be “in the best interest” of students.Teachers also want more education funding for textbooks, school programs, and technology, according to WLWT.

Teachers said they may not be in the classroom, but they’re hoping to still teach the public during this historical moment.

Schools across Kentucky were closed, due either to spring break or to allow teachers and other school employees to attend the rally. “We’re going to say that our Legislature started the process and they have a moral obligation to invest in our children and our children’s future”. Teachers in Arizona held another rally in late March.

Teachers by the thousands also demonstrated in the Kentucky state capital Frankfort.

Priest said the organization is asking for teachers to receive a pay raise of $10,000 per year, as well as additional funding to the tune of $200 million over the next three years.

The Republican-dominated legislature says the pension reform bill was crafted to help the state cover a $41 billion shortfall in pension costs over the next 30 years.

The bill, passed mostly on party lines, has gone to Gov. Matt Bevin – who supports reforming the pension system.

Ducey has also reiterated his support for a $15 million tax cut this year.

“Women have a long history of labor activity, even before they had the right to vote”, said Jean Harris, a professor of political science and women’s studies at the University of Scranton.

However, Potter said the Education Ministry had to approve which schools joined communities, who led them, and their goals or “achievement challenges”.

“We don’t take care of our kids in any way, shape or form” in Oklahoma, Mason said.