GROSSE POINTE, Mich. – A group of teachers in Grosse Pointe called in sick Wednesday to protest the district’s new COVID-19 guidelines.
READ: Grosse Pointe school board passes resolution to revise quarantine rules
Instead of having class, Grosse Pointe North High School students waited in the gym until substitute teachers could be brought to the school.
In a 6-1 vote Monday, the Grosse Pointe Public Schools Board of Education adopted new COVID-19 protocols that lowered the distance for “close contact” between students from six feet to three feet and mandating a 10-day quarantine -- instead of 14 days -- for students in close contact with a student who tested positive for COVID-19.
During Monday’s meeting, one Grosse Pointe North High School teacher expressed how frustrated school staff are. During his resignation speech, he acknowledged that the school board members were sitting further apart than students are in classrooms.
“You don’t respect us. If you respected us, you’d listen to us. You don’t appreciate us. If you did, you wouldn’t make our jobs literally impossible to do,” Sean McCarroll said. “If you cared, you would pretend that you’re listening, at least.”
Watch: Grosse Pointe teacher roasts board of education in intense resignation speech
The union representing the teachers said they believe the school board watered-down COVID protocols.
More: Education News