Teachers stage rallies in Okla., Ky.

Educators seek higher pay, pension protection

OKLAHOMA CITY — Thestate Capitol in Kentucky filled with teachers protesting pension changes and demanding generous school funding Monday, and thousands of Oklahoma educators walked out of classrooms in the latest evidence of teacher rebellion in some Republican-led states.

Many Oklahoma schools were closed Monday, and districts announced plans to stay shut into Tuesday with teacher demonstrations expected to last a second day.

Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin signed legislation last week granting teachers pay raises of about $6,100, or 15 to 18 percent. But some educators — who haven’t seen a pay increase in 10 years — 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.

“If I didn’t have a second job, I’d be on food stamps,” said Rae Lovelace, a third-grade teacher at Leedey Public Schools in northwest Oklahoma.

Fallin on Monday praised Oklahoma’s Gop-led Legislature for approving part of what teachers want.

But Democratic lawmaker Collin Walke said teachers should keep up the pressure.

In Frankfort, Kentucky, teachers and other school employees chanted “Stop the war on public education.”

“We’re madder than hornets, and the hornets are swarming today,” said Claudette Green, a retired teacher and principal.

Schools across Kentucky were closed, due either to spring break or to allow teachers and other school employees to attend the rally.

Amid a chorus of chants from teachers rallying in the Capitol, Kentucky lawmakers considered a new state budget that includes higher spending for public education.

The rally happened after hundreds of teachers called in sick Friday to protest last-minute changes to their pension system. Teachers have rallied several times during Kentucky’s legislative session to protest the pension bill, but Monday was by far their biggest event.

Republican Gov. Matt Bevin has not yet signed the bill, but last week he tweeted his support, saying public workers owe “a deep debt of gratitude” to lawmakers who voted to pass it.

Timothy D. Easley The Associated Press Teachers from across Kentucky gather Monday outside the state Capitol in Frankfort to rally for increased funding and to protest changes to their state-funded pension system.