No blue flu at MPS

Milwaukee Public Schools conducted classes as scheduled today, as the teachers reported for work, unlike the teachers in Madison and several other districts.
Thousands of teachers throughout the state called in sick today and attended a rally in Madison to protest Gov. Scott Walker’s budget repair bill, which would revoke the collective bargaining rights for teachers, nurses and thousands of other public employees.
As of 9 a.m., approximately 420 teachers MPS teachers had called in sick, according to district spokeswoman Roseann St. Aubin.
“This represents a small portion of the instructional staff, which includes 5,400 teachers. We are deploying substitute teachers and some central office staff to assist at our schools. The large majority of our schools are operating with their regular, assigned staff,” St. Aubin said.
Superintendent Gregory Thornton has issued the following statement (also attached) thanking our valued employees for continuing the good work they do in support of Milwaukee’s children.
MPS Superintendent Gregory Thornton said, “All across our district this morning we are seeing the majority of our staff in place, and at work. All schools are open. We are able to continue instruction in classrooms. “
– BizTimes Milwaukee