Teachers Who Called in Sick Thursday to See Pay Deduction

Eighty-two teachers from the Port Washington-Saukville School District who called in sick on Thursday as part of protest will not be paid for that day.

Superintendent Michael Weber said the administrative council reviewed board policy and contracts and then reviewed the consequences with School Board's attorney to determine the teachers would be docked pay, including fringe benefits, for one day.

Teachers called in sick to , which calls for most public employees to pay higher costs for health care and to contribute more to their pensions. It also eliminates most collective bargaining rights.

About 35 were high school teachers, and the lack of staff at that school caused the district to close down the high school and send kids home at 9 a.m. There are roughly 200 teachers in the school district.

Even with talk of doctors handing out sick notes to protesters in Madison, Weber said no teachers in the district came to him with a fictitious excuse.

"We have just a terrific group of individuals, nobody tried to manipulate the system or turn in false doctors slips," he said.

One teacher had actually been sick that day, showing up to work only to have the principal send her home, he said. A few others will be excused from consequences because of prearranged absences.

Now that it's done and over, Weber said the school district is trying to move forward.

"I’ve had several discussions with the teachers union leadership group and what we’re working on right now is pulling everybody back together as a team to focus on the education of the students," he said. "I have no indication that this will ever happen again."