Thousands of teachers in Oklahoma and Kentucky left class yesterday to demand higher pay and more funding for public education. Those same educators plan to do more walkouts today.
Thousands of educators in Kentucky and Oklahoma took to the streets of their respective state capitals Monday to demand higher pay and more funding for public education.
Many Oklahoma schools, including the three largest districts of Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Edmond, were closed Monday, with districts announcing plans to keep campuses shut into Tuesday to accommodate more planned demonstrations.
Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin signed legislation last week granting teachers pay raises of about $6,100, or 15 to 18 percent -- the first such hike in 10 years. But some educators say that isn't good enough. The state's largest teachers union has demanded a $10,000 pay raise for educators over three years, $5,000 for support personnel and a $75 million increase in funding this year.