Schools across Kentucky to close so teachers can attend statewide rally

Several schools in Kentucky will close Monday so teachers can take part in a statewide rally to protest a pension reform bill.

Kentucky Education Association President Stephanie Winkler is urging superintendents to cancel classes so teachers can go to the rally, WSAZ in Huntington, W.Va., reported.

Schools in Floyd and Pike counties are among those closed for the rally in Frankfort, Ky. Several other school districts are on spring break.

{mosads}The rally comes after state lawmakers last week passed a bill changing the structure of pension benefits for future teachers.

Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin (R) has indicated he will sign the bill, and said last Thursday that teachers owe lawmakers a “debt of gratitude” for passing the bill. 

“Anyone who will receive a retirement check in the years ahead owes a deep debt of gratitude to these 71 men & women who did the right thing,” Bevin tweeted Thursday night.

Last Friday, schools in eight Kentucky school districts were closed as teachers across the state protested the Republican changes to their pension system.

Hundreds of teachers took sick days or refused to show up for work last week.