Teachers and public education supporters fill the Kentucky Capitol on Wednesday, March 13, 2019, in Frankfort, Kentucky. Jefferson County Public Schools, the state's largest school district, closed Wednesday for the fifth time in the past two weeks after teachers called in sick so they could come to Frankfort to keep an eye on lawmakers. But one of the proposals teachers were most concerned about, which would have indirectly supported private schools with tax credits, was not included in an agreement on a tax bill lawmakers finished on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Adam Beam)
March 28, 2019 - 7:54 AM
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Kentucky's education commissioner says school superintendents who had to cancel classes while teachers protested at the state capitol should close loopholes in sick leave policies.
News outlets report Commissioner Wayne Lewis sent a memo to 10 school superintendents recommending they have teachers use personal leave instead of sick leave to engage in political advocacy. He said on Wednesday that he has "no intention" of punishing teachers, but districts should investigate to determine if discipline is warranted.
His comments come after superintendents turned over the names of teachers who used sick days to protest at the Capitol. Some districts had to cancel days of classes.
Teachers protested as lawmakers considered proposals to change who manages the teachers' pension fund and indirectly support private schools with tax credits.
News from © The Associated Press, 2019