Racine Superintendent Warns Teachers About Use of Sick Days; Case, Park Students Walk Out of Class

Racine Unified School District Superintendent James Shaw had a message for teachers Friday: Show up to work next week, or you may face disciplinary action. 

In a letter to teachers Friday, Shaw said teachers who call in sick next week may be required to provide a doctor's note to verify their illness. The letter came a day after hundreds of teachers took sick days, many to attend protest rallies in Madison against Gov. Scott Walker's proposal to strip their collective-bargaining rights. Losing the rights would give teachers little recourse to negotiate benefits with school districts. 

"In accordance with District policies, failure to report to work will leave an employee open to disciplinary action if prior approval was not given by the employee’s supervisor," Shaw wrote in the letter to teachers. 

Meanwhile Friday, between 50 and 100 students walked out of Case High School Friday afternoon to protest Walker's proposal. Earlier in the day, 20 Park High School students were ticketed for walking out of school. 

Racine area schools were closed Thursday due to teacher sick days. 

The protests by teachers and students are being replicated throughout the state. Roughly two dozen school districts closed due to missing teachers. Milwaukee and Madison, and the state's two largest school districts, were closed Friday. 

Here is Shaw's letter to Racine Unified teachers: 

Dear Racine Unified Staff:

I want to thank you for your presence today leading instruction in our classrooms and supporting school operations. Your presence is essential to helping guarantee our students reach our combined North Star vision.

While we understand and honor that our employees have substantiated reasons for being out of their schools, let me reaffirm that it is my expectation that you report to work every day next week. In accordance with District policies, failure to report to work will leave an employee open to disciplinary action if prior approval was not given by the employee’s supervisor.

Again please remember that sick leave days are for your own personal illness. Therefore, you may not call in sick to attend any events. If you call in sick, you may be asked to provide per your medical provider that you are excused due to an authenticated illness and/or injury.

The mission of Racine Unified schools is to educate every student to succeed. We must continue this focus and are committed to working cooperatively with our employee unions to ensure the best outcomes for our children.

Our children depend on us. Even with the challenges many of our students face beyond our school walls, they will come to school next week ready to learn.

Sincerely,

James J. Shaw, Ph.D.

Superintendent of Schools