AFT-WV is disappointed that, once again, the Governor has misrepresented our position regarding school re-entry metrics. The 5% positivity rate is only one of six necessary factors in the AFT’s guidance document, A Plan to Safely Reopen America’s Schools and Communities. The Governor continues to cherry-pick the portions of AFT’s public health guidance document to suit his own agenda.
Over the past several weeks, AFT-WV leadership has been consulting with our legal team to explore various ways to address the school-related COVID concerns of our members. Our in-house attorney and outside counsel have been researching case law and collaborating on possible avenues for intervention and action, both on the state and local levels.
The following WV Board of Education policies are on public comment until November 16th at 4:00PM. AFT-WV encourages our members to review the policies and comment with your feedback to the BOE.
Update on COVID-related legal issues
After reviewing the Circuit Court decision issued last Friday by Judge Carrie Webster on the legality of the color-coded school map, it appears the Court basically affirmed AFT-WV’s legal opinion that the Governor has the constitutional authority to implement these measures during a state of emergency.
The 2020 AFT-WV Convention was held virtually on November 14th. Delegates approved two resolutions during the convention. Click below to read each resolution.
AFT-WV’s initial strategy to seek relief for our members at the local level via the grievance procedure continues. After the Circuit Court basically affirmed our legal opinion that the Governor has the constitutional authority to implement safety measures via the color-coded school map during a state of emergency, we have sought to remedy various COVID-19 related concerns using this venue.
As the landscape of student debt shifts, and more and more opportunities allow borrowers to have their debt relieved, the AFT is using every avenue to ensure that the word is out. In affiliate meetings, telephone town halls, media coverage and social media, the union is spreading the news, and at a student debt clinic at AFT headquarters in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 31, AFT President Randi Weingarten vowed to reach as many people as possible with information that could save them tens—and sometimes hundreds—of thousands of dollars.
The 2022 AFT-WV Convention is approaching! This year's event will be held November 10-12 at the Embassy Suites in Charleston, WV.
We hope you can join us for professional workshops, convention business, fellowship and more!
For full details, read the 2022 AFT-WV Convention Call.
The AFT-WV COPE (Committee on Political Education) met via Zoom on July 9, 2022 and endorsed candidates for the 2022 General Election. Endorsements are made based on voting records (if applicable) and/or questionnaire answers related to education issues only.