Photos and Video: Day One of 2019 Teacher Strike
By Julie Perine on February 19, 2019 via Connect-Bridgeport.com
UPDATE: Governor Jim Justice announced that he will hold a 3:30 p.m. press conference to discuss the future of public education. Watch the press conference HERE.
Those driving, walking and running by expressed support to striking teachers standing outside of local schools today. Some even stopped and unloaded warm drinks and food items. It may seem like déjà vu. About this time last year, educators began a work stoppage to oppose legislative action regarding pay raises and PEIA insurance, among other matters. A pay raise is included in Senate Bill 451 which is now before legislators, but teachers say even more important matters - including, but not limited to, the possibility of converting public schools to charter schools and the implementaiton of educational savings accounts - are now before them. They are striking for their students' rights and the future of the education system.
Read this morning's story about the strike HERE and breaking news just before 1 p.m. today that the House of Delegates voted to table the bill indefintely HERE.
JD Lister is among Bridgeport educators at the state capitol today. After the House of Delegates vote to indefinitely table SB451, he and fellow teachers are cautiously optimistic.
“We do feel better, but still don’t feel like we’re out of the water,” he said.
Those who voted to kill the bill have the option – within 24 hours – to reconsider and that is why educators are concerned, Lister said. At least one delegate who voted to indefinitely table the bill had made a speech in its favor earlier today.
Lister said the educator turnout in Charleston was very good.
“The capitol was packed, but it had less capacity than last year because they are working on the rotunda,” he said. “There were a thousand if not more folks here today in front of the House, being loud and crazy, chanting and singing. Last night, they thought they had the votes to pass it and when teachers came down and made their pleas and calls, maybe it changed some minds.”
That is the hope, Lister said.
Governor Jim Justice announced that he will hold a 3:30 p.m. press conference to discuss the future of public education. The press conference will be live streamed on the governor's social media platforms:
Stay tuned for updates.
Below, see photos and video of this morning's scenes at Bridgeport schools. Pictured above and on cover are teachers at Johnson Elementary School.
