Incumbent Democrat Joe Manchin shied from use of the term “disappointed” in failing to get the West Virginia Education Association’s endorsement, but his campaign coordinator reeled off a litany of advances in the classroom since he took office.

“The governor is proud of his record when it comes to education,” Sara Scarbro said Wednesday.

“In fact, he’s committed more money to education than any governor in the history of our state.”

No one was endorsed for governor by the state’s largest teacher union, the first one to jump on Manchin’s bandwagon four years ago when he eventually beat Republican Monty Warner in the race for governor.

Dale Lee, the WVEA’s president, suggested rank-and-file members simply weren’t happy with the progress achieved under Manchin.

“We saw that we had some philosophical differences,” he told The Register-Herald, without elaborating.

“While we appreciate the things that the governor has done in education, particularly in the retirement system, and recognized that we have had some pay raises, the membership felt like that there were things we couldn’t agree on at this time, and therefore there was no endorsement.”

Lee said the WVEA considered every candidate who filled out the questionnaire “and looked at those very closely.”

“We certainly think we can continue to have a working relationship with him,” he said of Manchin.

“When he’s re-elected, we will continue to sit down with him and discuss education because both of our goals is to provide the best quality education for the children of West Virginia.”

Lee pointed out the WVEA made no endorsement in the May primary, either.

“Again, it was just some things that we feel are very important in education,” he said. “We felt at this time it was better to make no endorsement”

“We can’t speak for the WVEA leadership,” Scarbro said.

“I can tell you that Gov. Manchin talks often with teachers on the front lines. And they recognize the advancements this administration has made in regard to education.”

Republican challenger Russ Weeks vowed to give teachers an impressive but unspecified pay package next year, one that would make them stop comparing the salaries paid in other states.

“I just think people are fed up with his (Manchin’s) big talk and not following through,” the former 9th District state senator said of the WVEA decision in the governor’s race.

“He says all this good stuff that he’s going to do and accomplish, and it doesn’t pan out.”

What’s more, Weeks promised to restore law and order in the classroom so teachers and students alike have an atmosphere conducive to learning without the disruptions that now rob schools of 20 percent of intended instruction time.

Scarbro said Manchin worked to make schools safer, pumped $1.5 billion into the teachers retirement system and dedicated some $220 million toward higher pay for both teachers and school service personnel.

Moreover, she pointed out, the Manchin administration opened the door so teachers trapped in the defined contribution retirement plan in which many lost money could return to the “more stable” state defined benefit plan.

Manchin has been endorsed by both the West Virginia Federation of Teachers and the West Virginia School Service Personnel Association out of recognition for the strides he has taken, Scarbro said.

“We filled in the pay gaps,” she said. “We did a comprehensive pay raise. The administration will continue to put our children’s interest first in everything we do.”

Weeks didn’t expect the WVEA endorsement, saying no union would ever endorse him because he is a Republican, even though the teachers group does back individual teachers who belong to his party.

“Right now, teachers get on their hands and knees once a year and go begging in Charleston for a little bit of a pay raise,” the Beckley resident said.

“I’m going to put an end to it. I’m going to offer teachers a compensation package. I don’t know exactly how much yet, but it’s going to be in the neighborhood of where teachers won’t even look at other states to go teach.”

Weeks said he found it disturbing that West Virginia is losing its master’s degree teachers to states that offer higher salaries.

“I look at education as the cornerstone of my economic development plan,” he said.

“I believe teachers are highly educated, highly trained professionals, and they deserve respect for that. They shouldn’t be forced to go begging every year.”

— E-mail mannix@register-herald.com