March 18, 2018
UPDATED 3/19/18
Fletcher cancels school for March 21 so teachers and staff can attend Frankfort ANTI-PENSION PLAN rally
Gov. Matt Bevin has proposed a lean budget which contains the controversial “pension provision” which has not yet made it out of the state senate.
State workers including teachers, who have a separate but equally in peril system should Bevin’s budget pass, are out in numbers against Bevin.
He asked for a reprieve in a statewide story this morning. Gov. Matt Bevin took to Facebook Saturday night, urging citizens to contact their legislators and ask them to address the ailing pension system for state workers.
Bevin said in a four-minute Facebook video that the teachers’ retirement system will likely run out of money in 12 to 15 years unless structural changes are made.
But opponents say Bevin is overstating the pension problem which has more solutions than cutting state programs to the bone and messing with inviolable contracts.
Many Lawrence County teachers, social workers, state employees, police, and any other state pension plan participant have voiced their disagreement to the plan which, they say violates their “inviolable” contract.
Lawrence Co. Teachers association calls Bevin budget ‘far right libertarian’
Scott Osborn is President of the local KEA affiliate, the Lawrence County Teachers Organization.
Here’s his official statement requested by thelevislazer.com
“…In response to the Governor’s far-right libertarian war on public education, law enforcement, local government, and state pensions, we are joining the demonstrations that have been going on across the state.
Dr. Fletcher has supported us every step of the way, even standing on the line with us as we staged walk-ins this week.”
Dr. Fletcher, himself a member of the pension program, has been sending small teams of teachers to represent Lawrence County at the Capitol.
Teachers Scott Osborn, Romana Short, and Sue Schutzberg joined LC retirees Sam Lyons, Sharon Kinner and Rosemary Borders were even in the room when the Senate Budget Committee sent Senate Bill 1 to the Senate floor.
They joined many angry state employees, including other teachers, road workers, the teamsters and law enforcement personnel.
“Right now, we are facing the prospect of a regional work stoppage on March 21 to rally in Frankfort. As of now, Lawrence County schools will be open. (UPDATE – Dr. Fletcher has decided to cancel school on March 21 for the rally in Frankfort. At the board meeting tonight, there will be teachers, parents, and staff attending to show their appreciation for Dr. Fletcher and the Board of Ed through this trying time.)
Dr. Fletcher and the BOE plan to send a delegation of 16 staff members by bus. Many of our members are in discussions with our Board members concerning this issue.”
LCOT members, KAPE members, and non-members plan to attend Monday night’s March Board meeting to seek clarification for our plans, as well as to see where the BOE truly stands in 
relation to the Governor’s plans for our pensions as well as his budget, which will kill the Lawrence County school system.
David Prince plans to speak on behalf of unaffiliated teachers (teachers who don’t belong to either KAPE or KEA).”
Here is what Prince released to The Lazer today:
“I feel the time for action is now. Public education is under attack and unless we take a stand, we will continue to see negative legislation that is detrimental to the system. Districts will suffer, teachers will suffer and ultimately, the students of Kentucky will suffer.”
