Statewide–
Update—The Jac-Cen-Del Community School Corporation and the Fayette County Schools are adding to the list of schools canceling on Tuesday, November 19 to attend a state-wide demonstration at the Statehouse called the Red for Ed Action day.
Original Story—Indiana legislators will likely encounter a sea of red when they attend Organization Day on November 19. Organization day at the statehouse is the start of the 2020 legislative session.
As of Thursday night, more than 7,000 Indiana teachers had registered to attend the Red For Ed Action Day at the Indiana Statehouse. Keith Gambil has been a public educator for 30 years. He’s also the President of the Indiana State Teachers Association. Gambil says teacher shortage and retention is a major problem for Indiana schools. Teachers are also rallying against the externship. The updated professional requirement was put into place a year ago. It requires teachers when they renew their licenses to invest time outside the classroom.
ISTA is organizing the event. While ISTA always holds rallies or action days at the statehouse, they’re usually mid-session. This Red for Ed is meant to get legislators’ attention before the session starts. It’s also scheduled for a school day.
Roughly 35 school districts across Indiana are either using an e-learning day or canceling classes to support their teachers. The Jennings County School Corporation issued a formal letter stating that school will be canceled Thursday as nearly 1/3 of the staff has taken a personal day on Thursday. Their contracts state that personal days have to be given if requested. The JCSC School Board stated a makeup day is scheduled for Monday, February 17, 2020.
