House Education Committee Chairman Matt Gress and Senate Education Committee Chairman Hildy Angius are condemning what they allege was “a coordinated wave of teacher sick-outs” that forced the closure of dozens of public school district campuses across the state last week.
The lawmakers claim that the coordinated wave disrupted instruction for thousands of Arizona students and placing sudden burdens on working families.
Dozens of district schools across the state closed for the day after large numbers of teachers and staff called out at the same time, leaving districts unable to meet basic supervision and staffing requirements. The closures coincided with organized leftwing political protests, raising serious concerns for the lawmakers about the “misuse of sick leave and the decision to put activism ahead of classroom instruction.”
“Shutting down schools through coordinated sick-outs is unacceptable,” said Gress. “Students lost a full day of learning, parents were forced to scramble for childcare, and families paid the price for political tactics that do not belong in public education.”
“Public school districts exist to educate students, not serve political movements,” Gress added. “When educators walk out, children are left behind. Parents expect schools to be open, dependable, and focused on teaching, and that expectation was violated.”
Senate Education Chairman Hildy Angius said the closures highlighted a lack of accountability in district systems and a troubling willingness to disrupt students’ education for political purposes.
“Parents send their children to school expecting stability and instruction, not sudden closures driven by organized protests,” Angius said. “Using sick leave to shut down campuses crosses a line and undermines trust in public schools.”
Chairmen Gress and Angius confirmed that legislation is being prepared to prevent similar disruptions and to establish consequences when schools close due to coordinated political activity. Additional details will be released once the legislation is introduced.
“Arizona students deserve classrooms that stay open and leaders who put education first,” Angius said. “We intend to act.”
They complain about teacher pay but don’t go to class to teach. The school districts AND those teachers should get fined for allowing this.
FIRE THEM!!!
The Left always resorts to anarchy when they don’t get their way.
Absolutely unacceptable. If they want to LARP as “civil rights activists” they can do so on their own time. When their politics interfere with the performance of their duties and the education of the children left in their charge they need to be fired post haste. And those administrators who won’t fire them need to be fired as well.
The outrageous brainwashing and indoctrination was on display in Tucson. Kids were wondering on Oracle Road with unreadable made up signs about ICE. It was very obvious that they had no understanding the complexity and lawfulness issues of getting illegals out of the country. But it was obvious who poured that into their developing and confused minds. Shame on the teachers and administrators that instigated that.
Public schools have only ever been indoctrination centers founded by leftists, conservatives defending the institution have committed political suicide writ large and have dragged the rest of the country with them.
Deny their pay until they can provide medical documentation stating that their absence required a visit to a health care provider
It’s simple. Do whatever it takes to get your children out of the public school system.
I totally agree, but you’re never going to see it happen, even with ESA funding. Too many people are uninformed or willfully ignorant, and are addicted to their 2-income lifestyle.
It’s simple if the teachers don’t want to work make them unemployed problem solved.
Absolutely correct!
FIRE THEM