GROSSE POINTE (WWJ) -- Dozens of teachers from Grosse Pointe Schools called in sick two days after school board decided to ease COVID-19 restrictions in the district.
WWJ's Jon Hewett reports that 116 educators were part of the protest, which made up about twenty percent of the teacher's staff.
The "sick out" comes in response to disagreements regarding how to handle a recent increase in COVID-19 cases and the subsequent quarantining of students.
The Grosse Pointe teachers have expressed interest in going back to a hybrid model, where they would fluctuate between face-to-face and distanced learning.
However, the teachers believe their concerns are being ignored, especially after the Grosse Pointe Public Schools Board of Education voted 6-1 on Monday to adopt lighter COVID-19 protocols.
These include reducing the required "close contact" distance between students from six feet to three feet, and lessening required quarantines from 14 days to 10 days for students who come into close contact with a peer who tested positive for COVID-19.
Chris Pratt, the President of the Grosse Pointe Education Association, told WWJ that that the protest is emblematic of the current frustration among staff.
"It's the teachers, the administrators, the staff in the buildings who are telling you, 'The kitchen is on fire.' And the board seems intent in just throwing accelerant on it," Pratt said.
