Students hold walkouts at Hillsborough County schools

TAMPA (FOX 13) - Students held a walkout at Jefferson High School in Tampa Wednesday in protest of teacher pay. 

The student government organized the walkout in support for teachers who are fighting the school district's decision to withhold salary increases.

Teachers were expecting a $4,000 pay bump, but the district says teachers will not receive raises this year.

Several other Hillsborough County schools, including Leto and Alonso high schools, also planned to stage walkouts Wednesday. 

The Hillsborough County School District issued a statement pushing back against the protests, saying: 

The district went on to say that funding coming into the district is not keeping up with the pace of growth and rising costs, and says it has to balance the priorities and budgets every year.