April 9th 2024.
Eileen Washburn, a beloved teacher at Lakota West High School in Ohio, is facing a difficult situation. After allegedly using two sick days to attend a concert out of state, she is now on the brink of losing her job. According to People, the Lakota Local School Board has voted to place her on unpaid leave until further action is taken.
It all started when Washburn, who has been with Lakota West since 2015, called in sick on February 8 and 9, citing her illness as the reason for her absence. However, school records show that she actually attended a show in Nashville during that time. During a pre-disciplinary meeting, Washburn reportedly refused to provide any details about her whereabouts or the necessity of her sick leave.
As a result, Washburn is now facing termination unless she requests a hearing before the board vote on April 22. Interim Superintendent Elizabeth Lolli has emphasized that Washburn's actions not only violate state law, but also collective bargaining agreements and professional ethics codes. The school district has released a statement stating that Washburn's actions were in violation of O.R.C. §3319.141, Collective Bargaining Agreement Section 14.01, as well as several board policies and the Licensure Code of Professional Conduct for Ohio Educators.
It is worth noting that Ohio law and Lakota's agreements have strict definitions for acceptable reasons for sick leave, unlike private employers with more lenient policies. Falsifying sick leave is considered a serious offense and can result in termination.
The community has had a mixed reaction to this news, with some showing support for the board's decision and others expressing concerns about the handling of the matter. So far, Washburn and the school board's president, Julie Shaffer, have not responded to requests for comment. It remains to be seen what steps will be taken next in this challenging situation.
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