I just received this email from the “Campaign to End Child Poverty.” Open the link: parents, churches, and public libraries are offering meals and safe spaces for children and supporting the teachers’ just demands. The teachers are turning their backs on a pay raise because the legislature and governor broke their promise not to introduce charters and vouchers, which will further defund the public schools.
#55STRONG!
West Virginia Teachers and Service Personnel are again taking a stand – a bold, brave stand for OUR Children, Our public education system and OUR Future.
WE stand with them in full support! #55Strong!
With Senate leadership rushing a vote with little time for most to read and digest the changes, teachers and service personnel are standing against a bill that will benefit outside interests and line a business person’s pocket before it will ever support WV children in the classroom.
Our teachers and service personnel are fighting back against an omnibus education bill that does not lower classrooms size, support the needs of special ed students, fully fund counselors and a social worker in every school. They are not accepting a 5% pay raise, if OUR children are not put first!
The decision to stand against this bad bill is not an easy one. We know this. Lets show solidarity in our ACTIONS.
Here is what YOU can do:
- Call YOUR House Delegate TODAY and let them know you stand with WV Teachers and Service Personnel and do not support this bill. Today is the day to let them hear from you!
- Stand in solidarity with your teachers and service personnel at the school nearest you (Please support Putnam County teachers and service personnel. They NEED US!)
- Donate, volunteer at your local church or organization feeding and supporting children and parents in this moment. For more info on who is offering meals and child care, join and follow Families Leading Change WV Facebook page
- Come to the Capitol and STAND 55 Strong!
- Talk to your neighbors, friends and fellow parents. Ask them to lift their voice on this issue. A show of power will win!
Stay tuned for more details as they develop!
We stand in power and solidarity! West Virginia Strong! 55 Strong!
Jennifer
Diane Ravitch's blog 
I wonder how the greedy Alt-Right misleading, lying, fake media machine will spin this movement and manage to call teachers greedy when the teachers are turning down a 5-percent pay wage and demanding lower classrooms size, to focus on the needs of special ed students, and fully fund counselors and a social workers in every school?
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DeVos cancelled her trip to West Virginia.
Probably terrified she might encounter an actual public school teacher or student and have to interact with them.
She stays out of public education issues, other than marketing charters and vouchers.
Completely irrelevant to public school students and families.
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Well, yeah, just as we suspected. The WV legislators have nothing but contempt for public school teachers and students. A statewide strike and they still don’t care if public school students & families have schools they deserve.
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It did NOT pass today! Things are looking good in WV now!!
“West Virginia lawmakers reject charter school bill in victory for striking teachers”
https://www.rawstory.com/2019/02/west-virginia-lawmakers-reject-charter-school-bill-victory-striking-teachers/
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