Eastern Panhandle teachers to walk out today

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — Berkeley County Schools announced Wednesday afternoon that it will join other West Virginia districts in closing today and Friday due to the statewide work stoppage by state leaders of employee organizations.

All activities and events, except some involving students that are at state-level competitions, are cancelled, the school district said.

All school activities will resume as scheduled on Saturday, including the social studies fair, "and we'll be in school on Monday," Berkeley County Schools Superintendent Manny Arvon said.

Arvon, who hoped the work stoppage could be avoided through legislators' efforts to address teachers' salary and insurance concerns, was disappointed by the outcome.

"This thing should have been settled," he said.

Teachers have held rallies decrying low pay, small proposed increases after several years without them and projected hikes in their insurance costs.

The Legislature on Tuesday night approved a 2 percent raise next year for teachers followed by 1 percent raises the following two years. It also approved a 2 percent raise for school service personnel and state troopers next year and a 1 percent bump the next year as part of Senate Bill 267.

Only Del. Jason Barrett, D-Berkeley, voted against the measure among the Eastern Panhandle delegation in the state Legislature.

Earlier Tuesday, the Public Employees Insurance Agency agreed to freeze premiums and rates for the next fiscal year for teachers and other public workers covered by the plan.

Those actions haven't affected teachers' walkout plans "and in some respects, the pay bill upset them more," West Virginia Education Association spokeswoman Kym Randolph said Wednesday.

A few thousand protesters are expected at the Capitol, where the Legislature is scheduled to meet.

Meanwhile, school systems have begun posting closing plans on their websites.

Jefferson County Superintendent Bondy Shay Gibson announced the closure of county schools in a letter to parents on Monday.

Given that about 880 employees, or 74 percent of the school district staff, belong to a personnel association, Gibson wrote, they would not have the manpower to safely operate schools or transport and feed the students without the staff.

Gibson wrote that the school district's central office will remain open for business. The lost days of instruction would be made up by extending the school year to June 1.

"We anticipate school operating normally on Monday, but will certainly keep parents informed as this process unfolds in the legislature," Gibson wrote.

Morgan County Schools Superintendent Erich May made a similar statement that was dated Wednesday and posted on the school district's website.

"The school board did not take this decision lightly," May wrote. "Our mission is to educate students and to prepare them for their futures, so we would rather have them in class. But with so many of our teachers and cooks planning to join the strike, we have decided to close all six schools and move those (lost) days to June."

May wrote that officials considered keeping some schools open while closing other schools, but decided against doing anything that might seem unfair.

"We intend to have school on Monday," May wrote. "Unless you hear otherwise, please plan on it — business as usual on Monday."

Gibson said efforts were being made to prepare additional food to go home with children who rely on the school district's food service program and teachers would send home "extended homework packets to keep students moving in the right direction instructionally."

The American Federation of Teachers-West Virginia said Wednesday that despite negotiation efforts with House and Senate leaders and the governor's office, "we have not been able to make the progress needed to avoid further action." Many local units are coordinating with food pantries to help children who rely on school meals, it said.

On the website of the West Virginia School Service Personnel Association, which represents bus drivers, cafeteria workers and custodians, President Linda Thompson and Executive Director Joe White said "rolling walkouts" will follow Monday if no progress is made in negotiations.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.