And by some accounts, Monday’s crowd was the biggest yet.
Some teachers walked 15 miles Monday to get to Oklahoma City.
“When talking to West Virginia teachers, they told me the most important day of the walkout was the 2nd Monday,” posted Alberto Morejon, the organizer of the “Oklahoma Teacher Walkout – The Time is Now!” Facebook group.
Millions of dollars granted, millions more wanted
The teachers’ massive protest has already yielded some action by legislators.
Shortly before the April 2 walkout, Gov. Mary Fallin signed a bill that provided $50 million in funding for schools, increased teachers’ salaries and gave pay raises to support staff. But the package wasn’t nearly as much as educators demanded, so major school districts shuttered and the walkout ensued.
Now, two pieces of legislation could soon become law, getting a few steps closer to what teachers say they need:
2. The Senate on Friday approved a “ball and dice” tax for gambling. While Senate leaders said it will not add any income to this year’s education funding, the Oklahoma Education Association said it would help in the long run.
But the OEA was livid about another Senate move: the repeal of a hotel and motel tax that it said would be paid by mostly nonresidents and would add millions in revenue.
What will it take for this to end?
While thousands of students remain out of school indefinitely, OEA President Alicia Priest made clear what she thinks lawmakers must do to end the teacher walkout.
Until then, don’t expect teachers to end the walkout.
“I think it will continue … until they see the fully funded education bills that need to be passed,” said Kingsgate Elementary Principal Karie Hill, one of many administrators who joined teachers at the Capitol.
Kentucky teachers are furious, too
The Oklahoma protesters join teachers from Kentucky, Arizona and other states who have been fighting for more pay, better education funding and improved working conditions.
While Kentucky teachers were protesting the pension overhaul last week, the state Legislature passed changes to the tax system called House Bill 366.
Bevin has until legislators return to session April 13 to sign the bill.
CNN’s Isabella Gomez Madison Park contributed to this report.
Source : CNN