The West Virginia Department of Education data says more than half of the state's teachers missed more than 10 days of school last year.

WSAZ-TV reports that 52.75 percent of teachers missed more than 10 days, according to the research of data from the education department.

The prior year's number was 52.46. The year before that it was 51.44 and in 2016 it was 50.83.

State Superintendent Steve Paine says teachers have a hard, stressful job, but some are missing too much school.

The percentage of teachers who missed more than 20 days was nearly 11 percent.

The omnibus education bill that passed a few months ago included a $500 attendance bonus for teachers who miss fewer than four days. Paine said the state needs to determine if that has an effect.