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Arizona teacher walkout continues for third day

Posted at 4:54 AM, Apr 30, 2018
and last updated 2018-04-30 14:10:17-04

Many schools will be closed for a third consecutive day, as the teacher walkout continues. On Monday morning, teachers and educators will have a "walk-in," at the State Capitol. For a list of district closures, click here.

The program begins at 10:00 a.m., and will include speeches from #Red4Ed leaders and supporters.

Last week, an estimated more than 50,000 people marched to the State Capitol on the first day of the walkout, in support of the #Red4Ed movement.

Teachers voted to walkout after rejecting Gov. Ducey's original 20 by 2020 plan, that would increase teacher pay by 20% by 2020. While it would solve one problem, they say it wouldn't have fixed the other problems the education system faces. Among them, outdated textbooks and resources, and a lack of funding for support staff.

On Friday, Gov. Ducey announced he is proposing a plan that would increase teacher pay 20% by 2020, while also adding $100 million for improvements and support staff, that would increase to $371 million over 5 years, all while not increasing taxes. He plans to meet with lawmakers this week to try and pass it.

Joe Thomas, President of the Arizona Education Association and Noah Karvelis, Arizona Educators United organizer, responded with this statement: “We have a press release and a tweet from the governor. We have no bill. We have no deal. The devil is in the details."