DISD Teacher Calling For Leap Day 'Sick Out' Protest
DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - A teacher in the Dallas Independent School District is calling for a 'sick out' to protest last week's decision to lengthen the work day for educators. This is just the latest in a string of conflicts for the DISD. Many parents are upset after the school board voted to shut down 11 campuses.
The teacher, who wishes to remain anonymous, is using a play on words to help make his point. He wants DISD teachers to call in sick on February 29 – Leap Day – to show that the DISD is taking a big leap backwards.
Teachers and members of the community are fuming over recent decisions made by the school board trustees. In a contentious meeting last Thursday, the school board voted to close 11 schools due to massive budget cuts. Many of those campuses are underutilized, and enrollment is very low. However, some are operating at capacity, and parents would like their students to stay at those schools.
Residents are also worried that empty school buildings will affect their property values or attract crime. District officials said that, when the schools close over the next two years, the buildings and lawns will be maintained.
"We are going to maybe think about moving to get into a good school district," said parent Grace Jeffrey. "I don't know how we're going to find something like this."
The school board is still taking steps to cut down the budget. Teacher layoffs have not yet been discussed. Officials said that it is still too early to know if any staff members will lose their jobs.
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