Missing Hudson teachers face up to 15 day suspensions

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Late Tuesday night the Hudson Board of Education meted out punishment for teachers who called in sick in protest against Gov. Scott Walker’s budget repair bill, causing school to be closed on Feb. 18.

Board president Barb VanLoenen read a resolution that included several categories ranging from one-day unpaid suspensions up to 15 days. All categories included letters of reprimand and warning in the teachers’ personnel files. The suspensions went up based on actions a teacher was believed to have taken. The longer suspensions were for teachers who encouraged colleagues to call in sick and who conducted or discussed union business or talked to the media on district property.

Deputy Superintendent Nancy Sweet said more details about the number of teachers in each category and what the district’s investigation uncovered would be available at a later time.

A small number of teachers were in the audience when the resolution was read. None of them addressed the board prior to the closed session to discuss the resolution which passed unanimously. The only board member not present was Tom Holland.

The decision to close school on Feb. 18 was made after the district was unable to find a sufficient number of substitutes to replace the teachers who had called in sick.

More details about the discipline resolution will appear in next week’s Star Observer.

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