Some Trigg County Public School teachers are not happy about how Superintendent Bill Thorpe handled the decision of returning to in-person instruction this week.
A letter from some of the district’s teachers was presented to the board Thursday night. It was read by District KEA Representative Brian Parker, who said the letter did not necessarily present his thoughts or opinion. Parker told the board, teachers understand this is an unusual situation. The letter went on to say teachers are not only facing the pandemic but also experiencing challenges in terms of leadership.
The letter claimed that Thorpe had taken on the role of exclusivity and taken on a tone of hostility when anyone disagreed with his decision.
The letter added Thorpe had shown a lack of concern for teachers and staff with his “inability to ensure CDC contact tracing guidelines.”
Parker added there had been instances of teachers and staff testing positive and other staff members, students, or parents not being informed about the positive case.
Parker stated teachers want Thorpe to listen to them and consider their concerns. The teachers also asked board members to “demand a seat at the table” and make their voices heard. The letter also asked the board to reconsider the return to in-person instruction.
Board member Charlene Sheehan, a retired teacher, agreed with the concerns voiced by teachers and staff and added the current priority of safety is teachers.
Sheehan also shared concerns that the district nurse is not included in the conversations.
After hearing the concerns, Thorpe said the district is doing everything they are supposed to be doing.
Currently, the district has two positive COVID-19 cases among students, and 19 are in quarantine. There are also seven staff members COVID-positive or in quarantine.
The school district recently mourned the loss of high school science teacher Simone Parker, who died of COVID-19 complications on January 2. Thorpe said student and staff case numbers doubled while the district was in virtual-only instruction in November and December.
During the meeting, Thorpe also told the board, staff will begin receiving the Moderna vaccine Thursday, January 21. The Trigg County Health Department will administer the vaccines.
The district did not take any action concerning returning back to full virtual instruction Thursday night.
You can read the entire letter to Thorpe and the board by clicking here.
