Due to staff and substitute shortages, the Kent School District decided to cancel classes on Friday, Nov. 12.
The district on Wednesday, Nov. 10 announced the extra-day closure and said like districts across the country, it continues to see sustained staff shortages in multiple teams across the district, including teachers, bus drivers, nutrition services, paraeducators and office support staff. Classes will resume on Monday, Nov. 15.
“I recognize the hard work and dedication of our staff in supporting our students and families amidst extraordinary challenges,” Interim Superintendent Israel Vela said. “Unfortunately, this pandemic has impacted us all in so many ways. I know that each of us in Team KSD is working through trauma caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, our staff, at every level, has experienced an unprecedented amount of stress, impacting their mental health. Unfortunately, we cannot safely operate schools with the staff and substitute shortages we are already seeing in our data.”
Teachers, support staff, and administrators at every level and in the central office have gone above and beyond each day to serve our students and families, often sacrificing the time they need to take care of themselves, according to a district statement.
“The levels of stress in our staff are incredibly concerning, we believe this has in part led to the high volume of planned leave for Friday, Nov. 12, according to the district. “We recognize decisions about school schedules impact families and may add additional strain. We also know this decision may extend our school year. However, student and staff safety is our priority, and we cannot safely operate schools due to staff and sub shortages in our schools. Our Human Resources team is updating the school calendar; revised calendars will be posted to our website as soon as they are available.”
Schools already were scheduled to be closed on Thursday, Nov. 11 for Veterans Day. The district will make up taking Nov. 12 off on Friday, March 25.
Athletics, activities and school facility use will operate as scheduled on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 12-14.
Seattle Public Schools and the Bellevue School District announced earlier this week that they were closing schools on Friday due to staff and substitute shortages.
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