Union president: Don't punish teachers for canceled school day

Spring Hill Elementary students might have been happy that school was canceled for a day last month due to a nearby police standoff, but teachers might need to make up work for that day — using personal leave, vacation or be docked pay.

During the board meeting Tuesday night, Joe Vitalo, president of the Hernando Classroom Teachers Association, asked school board members to pay teachers for the Jan. 23 school day missed — despite having stayed home after school was canceled that morning.

District officials canceled school for Spring Hill Elementary that morning in January due to a standoff nearby between law enforcement and a man who barricaded himself in his home.

According to the recommendation by Superintendent Bryan Blavatt, students wouldn't have to makeup that missed day, but teachers would have to work in April during a time they would normally be off. They could also forego pay or use their allocated time off to cover the missed workday.

Vitalo argued teachers were told to stay home rather than be reassigned to work at an alternate location and that officials surrendered their right to tell employees they had to makeup that missed day due to that.

"You cannot tell teachers how to use their personal leave days," Vitalo said. "The district gave up their right to tell employees to surrender a day. You locked them out. On that day, teachers were waiting to go somewhere and were instead told to stay home."

Superintendent Bryan Blavatt told Vitalo he couldn't support a recommendation to pay employees who didn't work that day. He added that "working from home" also doesn't count.

"The guiding force in all of this is that I can't in good conscience recommend paying someone who doesn't show up for work," Blavatt said.

But not all school board members agree.

Dianne Bonfield, a former teacher herself, said forcing teachers to work later this year when classrooms are empty would accomplish nothing.

"To me it's a day than can never be made up — unless you require the entire school to be there. They missed a day with students," Bonfield said. "And if teachers aren't teaching students, then I'm comfortable with those folks doing work at home."

Board member John Sweeney added that the police standoff was a unique incident.

"Why can't we let them work from home?" Sweeney said. "Can't we take the high road on this?

Board member James Yant, who has also taught, said he believes teachers could be credited for working from home because they often grade and do other work at home any way.

Blavatt warned the board could be setting a dangerous precedent by going that route, but added that it was up to the board.

Vice Chairman Matt Foreman recommended the matter be tabled until legal staff can further research the matter. The remaining four board members unanimously agreed.

Meanwhile, Blavatt said he and his staff are reviewing the communication procedures of that day to determine whether improvements are required.

Both Sweeney and Bonfield at one point stated they were pleased communication was sent out before students and teachers went to school that day.

"It's a rare occurrence and sometimes things happen where you don't have a plan in place," Sweeney said. "The important thing is everybody was safe and no one got hurt."