‘This wouldn’t have happened’: RPS teachers and district leaders evaluate next steps after several teacher absences

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Richmond Public School teachers and district leaders discuss potential improvements after a “higher-than-normal” number of teachers were absent Easter Monday.

Richmond Public Schools saw several teachers out of the classroom on April 6, after the district reinstated Easter Monday as an in-person learning day.

8News spoke with Andrea Bryant, President of the Richmond Education Association, who said the number of absent teachers impacted some schools heavily, like Henderson Middle School, while others weren't impacted as much.

The district told 8News the absences were expected and stemmed from a February vote to use Easter Monday as an in-person learning day after the district saw several class cancellations due to winter weather.

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

“Had we been listened to begin with, this wouldn't have happened,” Bryant said.

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

Bryant said she wished the district had notified teachers in advance and conducted a survey to determine teacher availability and potential staffing challenges.

“I think that just expecting people to completely change their plans is very inconsiderate,” Bryant said.

The topic came up at Monday night's Budget Town Hall, where district leaders discussed their openness to discussing how to mitigate shortages, better communicate backup days in advance and add more weather days to the calendar.