TUCSON, Ariz. - A year after teachers across Arizona held a days-long strike, some southern Arizona teachers say they are frustrated with what they say is the lack of change as well as certain bills making their way through the legislature.
John Fife, a local teacher, said both of these reasons make him believe that he cannot rule out another walkout happening.
"I don't know at this point. I know there's a lot of frustration, I don't think it's something we ought to take off the table but I'm hoping that the legislature does the right thing and treats education like the priority that Arizona voters very very clearly stated in November," Fife said.
House Bill 2017 essentially looks to end teacher walkouts by fining anyone who causes a school closure, when it should be open.
State Representative Kelly Townsend, who proposed the bill, told our sister station in Phoenix via email in part "it's already illegal to strike, last year's walkout was manufactured by teachers calling in sick, substitutes assigned, teachers canceling their call in the morning and teachers calling in sick once again preventing enough teachers on campus to ensure safety."
Fife said at the moment teachers are hoping for the best, adding they continue pushing for change.
"We are organized at about the same level as we were last year at this time. We're wearing red on Wednesdays, we're having meetings," said Fife.
