Richland 2 joins other SC school districts, cancels classes ahead of teacher rally

Richland School District 2 schools will be closed Wednesday, the latest South Carolina district to cancel classes due to a high number of expected teacher absences for a rally at the S.C. State House.

Teachers have been putting in requests for time off Wednesday to protest for higher pay and better working conditions at the State House, sending districts scrambling to find substitutes.

“Unfortunately, on Tuesday afternoon the number of requested absences reached a point that any last-minute absences would undermine our ability to provide adequate coverage at our schools,” the district said in a release Tuesday afternoon. “Therefore, we can no longer ensure that the school day could proceed in a safe and secure manner with minimum disruption.”

There was no word Tuesday on how many Richland 2 teachers had requested Wednesday off. The move was met with praise from the Richland Two Black Parents Association.

“We are glad to see teachers using their power,” a statement from the association reads. “We hope this reveals the sleeping giant has awakened and that the oppressive state of education and exploitation of teachers is finally about to change!!”

As of Tuesday, more than 4,000 teachers, students and advocates have registered to attend Wednesday’s events, according to SC for Ed. Richland 1 and Lexington-Richland 5 have already announced plans to cancel. Sumter County schools also announced plans to cancel.

Richland 2 officials considered closing down district offices and putting district staff in schools to make up for the teacher absences, but those plans were scrapped Tuesday when “the number of requested absences reached a point that any last-minute absences would undermine our ability to provide adequate coverage at our schools,” the district said in a statement.

Even though classes are canceled, lunch will still be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday. Any Richland 2 student can receive a bagged lunch at Bethel-Hanberry Elementary, Jackson Creek Elementary, Keels Elementary, North Springs Elementary and Pontiac Elementary.

Information on a makeup day for Richland 2 had not yet been announced Tuesday.

“This was a very difficult decision,” the district release said. “We recognize the impact closing schools has on our students and families. We apologize for any inconveniences this causes. As always, our decisions to close schools are based on ensuring the safety and security of our students and employees. Despite our efforts to hold school on May 1, our plans can no longer accommodate any additional employee absences.”

State Superintendent of Schools Molly Spearman has spoken out against the demonstration, saying teachers who take part are “walking out on their obligations.”

Reporter Lucas Daprile contributed.

This story was originally published April 30, 2019 at 2:22 PM.