All West Virginia Public Schools Closed as Teachers Walk Out

"The most important thing for us right now is public education and that we're standing up for our students and our colleagues," says Christine Campbell, president of the American Federation of Teachers-West Virginia. Gov. Jim Justice signed a bill Wednesday night that gives teachers a 2% pay increase in July and a 1% raise each of the next two years. "We certainly recognize our teachers are underpaid," Justice says. But teachers say the pay increase is too little and does nothing to address other concerns, such as rising healthcare costs. Earlier this month Justice said it would be a "crying shame" if teachers went on strike, and the state's attorney general called the strike illegal. Teachers' unions have worked with food pantries to make sure kids have enough food during the work stoppage, and churches and community centers are hosting programs for kids so parents can still go to work.