FRANKFORT, Ky. (WHAS11) -- Hundreds of teachers from around the state packed into Kentucky's capital Friday morning, hours after the general assembly passed the controversial pension bill.
Several school districts were forced to call off school because of the high number of teachers that called in sick overnight. Many of those teachers chose to start their morning in Frankfort, protesting the previous night’s activity.
The teachers said this a fight for the future, and the focus isn't only on them.
"The public needs to know. It’s not just teachers. We're not being whiny, we're not complaining, we're not boo-hooing, we know that yes we're getting screwed, but ultimately my kids are getting screwed,” teacher Sharessa Bentley-Crovo said.
They arrived in Frankfort with signs and chants directed at lawmakers and the governor. Matt Bevin tried to sneak out near the end of the rally, surrounded by security and when caught by teacher, he gave them a thumbs up. Bentley- Crovo said they were far from amused.
"I yelled that he's a liar and a thief,” she said.
Educators told WHAS11 the entire situation is a frustrating one, but the way the bill was passed, late Thursday night, may have been the worst part.
JCPS School Board Member Chris Kolb said, “To do it in the dead of night, with no input, no time to even think about what was in the bill. It's one of the most morally reprehensible things that I've ever seen in the history of Kentucky politics.”
While not many lawmakers were at the capitol Friday, that did not change the teacher’s efforts. They said they want their elected officials to know they do not approve of what’s happening. They also want parents to understand why this is important.
"When you wake up this morning and you don't know why your child’s not going to school, know this is about funding, this is about getting new teachers to come into the school, and them wanting to come teach, this is about a pension that was a promise to us”, Jessamine County Teacher Elizabeth Matherly said.
The teachers said the plan to return to the capitol on Monday, when lawmakers will also be back to make up a “snow-day.” Teachers anticipate the number of protestors will be even larger, as many Kentucky school districts will be on spring break.
►Contact reporter Shay McAlister at smcalister@whas11.com. Follow her on Twitter (@WHAS11Shay) and Facebook.