RPS superintendent subs at middle school amid ‘higher-than-normal’ teacher absences

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Richmond Public Schools (RPS) superintendent Jason Kamras stepped back into the classroom on Easter Monday after the district saw a "higher-than-normal" amount of absent teachers.

This came after reports of a mass teacher callout at RPS schools circulated on social media. A spokesperson for RPS explained on Monday, April 6 that the absences were expected and stemmed from a calendar change.

"Central Office proactively filled gaps by having RPS staff — many of whom are former teachers themselves — step back into the classroom," the spokesperson told 8News.

Among the teachers was Kamras, who substituted at Albert Hill Middle School and covered an eighth-grade algebra class.

RPS students initially had April 6 off for Easter. Due to inclement weather forcing many school districts to cancel classes earlier this year, the Richmond School Board voted in February to designate Easter Monday as an in-person school day to make up for lost time.