LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) – Little Rock’s schools remained open on Monday despite some teachers saying they’d only work virtually over concerns about the spread of coronavirus in the classroom.
It was unclear how many teachers joined the local union’s call to not show up for in-person classes. The school district said 50 teachers told their principals on Sunday they would work virtually, while another 150 called in sick Monday. A school district spokeswoman said that was slightly higher than the number of teachers absent on a typical day.
The 21,000-student district has about 1,900 teachers.
The Little Rock Education Association cited several concerns about the schools since classes resumed Aug. 24, including facilities not being cleaned or disinfected properly and many teachers and students not wearing masks.
Arkansas is requiring its public schools to be open for in-person classes five days a week, though they can also offer virtual or hybrid options. About half of Little Rock’s students have chosen the virtual option.
