A staffing shortage is causing the Seattle and Bellevue school districts in Washington state to close on Friday.
The Seattle district says a large number of employees are taking leave on Friday, reports The Seattle Times.
The district sent an email to families acknowledging that it did not have enough personnel "to open schools with the necessary environment for high-quality learning.”
As of last week, more than 600 educators had requested a substitute for Friday, the district said. Because Thursday is Veterans Day, a federal holiday, the Friday school cancellation means a four-day weekend for students and teachers.
Friday’s cancellation is not a work stoppage planned by the Seattle Education Association, but a situation caused by the statewide shortage of substitute teachers, union leaders said
Bellevue district officials say they have canceled classes Friday because of staffing shortages, “anticipated inclement weather, and Covid restrictions,” according to its website. After-school programs will also be canceled, but athletics will continue as scheduled.
Bellevue officials say the lack of substitutes is also a factor in the decision to cancel classes.
