It’s not snow or cold, but a “sick out” that has the Madison’s school district calling off classes today. Forty percent of the 2,600 staff and teachers on Monday evening had called in sick for today. District officials met on the situation last night, and made a decision shortly before 11 p.m.
Madison Metropolitan School District Ken Syke says it wasn’t an easy decision to cancel classes.
“We feel like we’ve been forced to do that,” says Syke, adding that there are not enough substitute teachers to ensure the safety of students.
The move comes as teachers are expected to converge on the Capitol today for a noon rally protesting Governor Walker’s budget repair bill, a measure that endangers public employee benefits.
The legislature’s Joint Finance Committee co-chair Robin Vos calls it a “sad day” when the union decides to protest instead of teach children.