Teacher Termination Due to Absenteeism
My question involves labor and employment law for the state of: West Virginia
My child's elementary teacher has missed most of the first quarter of school. Various substitutes have been hired in her place and most are not highly trained. Many movies are shown. I am concerned that my child is missing a great deal of instruction and although we try to supplement reading and math at home at night, he is going to be behind. When I asked other parents, they tell me that the teacher has medical issues, both physical and mental, ant that this is the fourth year of excessive absences. The teacher is tenured. Can she be terminated legally? A group is ready to go to the principal or maybe the superintendent, but wondered how to most effectively proceed.
Re: Teacher Termination Due to Absenteeism
The teacher can be dealt with according to her contract. Though you are certainly within your rights to approach the school board and superintendent, to see about remedying the situation, the teachers cba, will likely protect her employment. I suggest you move for another teacher to replace her permanently in the class.
Re: Teacher Termination Due to Absenteeism
Whether or not the school chooses to fire this teacher is frankly none of your business. You don't get to make that decision - period.
Now, if you do have concerns about the education your child is or is not receiving, you're absolutely free to discuss this with the principal.
I suggest you try that route.
Re: Teacher Termination Due to Absenteeism
If she is tenured, it is going to be very difficult to term her. If she has medical issues, her absences may be protected by law. Most teachers belong to a union, which will affect how and when she can be termed.
But regardless of any of the above, what Doggie said. There is nothing, and I do mean nothing, you can do, say or threaten that will force the school to term her, and how they choose to handle the absences is none of your business.
You can certainly discuss your child's education with the school. You cannot, under any circumstances whatsoever, decide how the school handles the teacher's absences.
Re: Teacher Termination Due to Absenteeism
And when you talk to the principal, ask him if it would be a more stable option for the class to put ONE long-term sub in the classroom, who is aware he or she will be filling in until the teacher gets back. At my school, when a teacher has a long absence, they get a long-term sub so that stability for the class is maintained.
However, this would still be considered a suggestion since like they said, you can't control how they handle the situation.
Re: Teacher Termination Due to Absenteeism
Not to mention the fact that the availability of long term subs who are qualified and available on a moment's notice is not something the school can control.
Re: Teacher Termination Due to Absenteeism
The school is aware of the teacher's absences. They apparently don't want to terminate and/or can't terminate her.
However, as others have noted, you can discuss your concerns re your child's education with the school. You can't make them terminate the teacher though.
Re: Teacher Termination Due to Absenteeism
I had a teacher that just sat and read the paper, did the crosswords puzzles in the paper, talked to the jocks, made offensive remarks. But he was tenured....A student and her mother were in an accident. He read the announcements: Chrissy's mommy will be buried on X day, they'll throw her old bones into the ground". No disciplinary action because of his tenure.
So just know what you are facing, and document everything. You in a group....that will be better. Again, you are against a Union.....