Racine Unified Still Investigating February Sick-Out Event

An investigation continues into a teacher sick-out that closed the Racine Unified School District on Feb. 17.

Keri Handstedt, RUSD’s employee relations manager, told the School Board on Mon., June 20, that 480 teachers, or 27 percent of the teaching staff, called in sick on that February day during protests against Gov. Scott Walker’s budget repair proposals. No other employee groups had a one-day absenteeism rate that was that high.

Handstedt noted that 1,242 teachers did report for work on Feb. 17.

Of the teachers that called in sick, 144 were determined to have legitimate absences. District officials have already docked a day’s pay of 85 teachers who did not have excuses.

Handstedt said that RUSD sent affidavits to 305 teachers regarding the absences and employee relations staff members are working through the 194 responses and attempting to gather responses from the remaining 111 teachers. 

The Racine Education Association, the union representing RUSD’s teaching staff, has filed three grievances related to the investigation and the pay deductions, she added. 

Handstedt said there is no timetable at present to complete the investigation.