5:45 p.m.
Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin says the state's leaders can't neglect other parts of the state's budget in looking for more money for education.
Fallin's comments came Monday, the day thousands of teachers rallied at the state Capitol seeking increased spending for the classroom. Kentucky teachers led a demonstration in Frankfort in a separate event.
Fallin said the corrections and health and human services also need more money. She praised the GOP-led Legislature's for approving part of teachers' demands that included pay raises.
But Democratic lawmaker Collin Walke said teachers should keep up the pressure. He said he believes the Republican strategy is to wait the teachers out.
Many Oklahoma schools were closed Monday and will remain shut Tuesday to honor the teacher protests.
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12:50 p.m.
The head of Oklahoma's largest teachers union says Monday's walkout will last at least one more day.
Oklahoma Education Association President Alicia Priest said during the rally that drew thousands to the state Capitol that teachers will continue pressing their demands for lawmakers to approve more funding for pay raises and classrooms. Teachers in Kentucky and Oklahoma rallied Monday to voice dissatisfaction with issues such as education funding and pensions.
School districts in Oklahoma City and the Tulsa areas have canceled Tuesday classes.
Demonstrations come just days after Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin signed legislation increasing taxes on cigarettes, fuel and oil and gas production to provide teachers with raises of about $6,100, or 15 to 18 percent.
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11:50 a.m.
Oklahoma City public school officials say campuses will remain closed Tuesday amid ongoing teacher demonstrations for pay raises and more education funding. Teachers were holding separate protests in Oklahoma and Kentucky on Monday to voice dissatisfaction with issues like pay and pensions.
The Oklahoma City district said in a news release Monday schools will be closed but that meals will continue to be served to students.
The release said teacher union leaders indicated the walkout that led to school closures throughout Oklahoma on Monday will continue.
Union officials did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment.
Thousands of teachers rallied at the state Capitol on Monday just days after Gov. Mary Fallin signed legislation increasing taxes on cigarettes, fuel and oil and gas production to provide teachers with raises of about $6,100, or 15 to 18 percent.
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11:10 a.m.
Thousands of teachers and education supporters are marching in Oklahoma City, and schools all over the state are closed ahead of a rally at the state Capitol for more education funding. The protest is similar to one taking place in Kentucky, where angry teachers have gathered at the Capitol in Frankfort to protest changes to their pension plan.
The Monday walkout and protest in Oklahoma come just days after Gov. Mary Fallin signed legislation increasing taxes to provide teachers with raises in Oklahoma, where teachers are among the lowest paid in the U.S.
But teachers and their supporters say more funding is needed, and they're using the walkout to press lawmakers for additional funding. Rally organizers say it's unclear how long the walkout will last.
Among the schools closed Monday are the state's three largest school districts, in Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Edmond.
Fallin signed legislation last week increasing taxes on cigarettes, fuel and oil and gas production to provide teachers with raises of about $6,100, or 15 to 18 percent.