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Superintendent: staffing shortfalls prompted late decision to cancel school
Summary
The superintendent said a sharp rise in teacher absences — from 86 at 3 p.m. to nearly 130 a few hours later — prompted the district to cancel school; officials considered substitute coverage, bus routes and safety before deciding.
Superintendent said the district canceled school after a rapid rise in teacher absences created a staffing shortfall that made operating schools unsafe.
The superintendent told listeners the decision hinged on staffing numbers. "At 03:00, we had 86 teacher absences," the superintendent said, adding that three hours later the district had "nearly 130 abscesses" and began considering bus routes and other metrics before canceling school.
The district initially covered many absences with substitute teachers, the superintendent said, but when absences increased the district moved into a "critical" staffing level and determined it could not "effectively and safely run school." The superintendent described the timing of the cancellation call as a direct result of rapidly changing staffing data and said that is why the decision was made later in the day.
The superintendent framed the choice as balancing the importance of students being in classrooms with staff availability and safety. "We understand the importance of students being in our schools and being in front of teachers," the superintendent said. Officials discussed substitute staffing, bus routes and other operational metrics before making the final call.
In closing remarks, the superintendent also noted a strong turnout at the Shelby County High School homecoming game and praised student participation.
