CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - A West Virginia teachers union lost its bid Friday to stop the state from using its color-coded map to decide whether counties can hold in-person public school classes and athletic competitions during the coronavirus pandemic.
Judge Carrie Webster denied the West Virginia Education Association’s request for a preliminary injunction after Gov. Jim Justice’s attorney argued the court lacked jurisdiction and said the union did not have evidence that the map is not a rational approach tailored to West Virginia, WCHS-TV reported.
The union’s president, Dale Lee, testified that 67% of teachers surveyed had compromising health issues and fears or relatives who were home sick.
After the ruling, Lee said the WVEA was disappointed in the outcome.
“By choosing to use the lesser of the infection rate or the percentage of positive tests, WVEA and its members believe the governor’s color-coded map changes have created a false picture of COVID spread,” Lee said in the statement. “That has resulted in both education employees and students being placed in unsafe situations.”
The governor’s office did not immediately respond to emails seeking comment.
The union has endorsed Justice’s opponent, Democrat Ben Salango, in the November general election.
“Isn’t it awfully coincidental that (the court filing is) done three or weeks before an election?” Justice said after the challenge was filed this month. “It’s political.”
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