Teacher Sick-Out Closes Warren Middle School Friday

WARREN, R.I. -- Warren Middle Schoolers started their weekend early on Friday, after a teacher sick-out forced the cancellation of classes at Kickemuit Middle School. Initial reports from the superintendent's office blamed "high volumes of staff illness," but the teacher's union says the protest was staged due to safety concerns.

A statement from the Bristol-Warren Teacher's Association reads in part: "Teachers have been concerned about student and staff safety and have engaged in numerous conversations in an attempt to work with administration over the past year and a half to address and resolve these concerns. These attempts by the Bristol Warren Education Association to work with the Bristol-Warren Regional School District have not resulted in satisfactory actions by the administration to ensure provisions of a well-organized and disciplined school, despite our willingness to be part of a proactive plan to address the escalating behaviors of students at Kickemuit Middle School."

Statement from @bweari on today's closure of Kickemuit MS: In regards to the cancellation of classes at Kickemuit Middle School due to "a large number of adult illnesses" on February 1, 2019: Teachers have been concerned about student and staff safety and have engaged in numerous
— BristolWarren Tchrs (@bweari) February" class="redactor-linkify-object">https://twitter.com/bweari/sta... 1, 2019

The statement went on to say that union members have endured "undue stress and anxiety" while trying to provide a positive learning opportunities for students amid mounting disruptions from students, even to the point of injury.

The union then acknowledged Superintendent Mario Andrade's acceptance of teacher's taking occasional "mental health days" to take a break and "reset to then come back ready to continue to teach and work in the best interest of all students."

The statement called the disciplinary actions taken against disruptive students "ineffective," and concluded by saying the teachers are hoping a "viable and guaranteed" plan will be put in place immediately.

Superintendent Andrade did not immediately respond to Patch's request for comment Friday morning.

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