Isaac Elementary School District Opens For Half-Days During Teacher Walkout

By Casey Kuhn
Published: Thursday, May 3, 2018 - 6:28pm
Audio icon Download mp3 (5.27 MB)

School district administrators and principals have had to scramble as teachers made last-minute decisions to call out of work to rally at the Capitol.

Many schools have closed several days in a row, while keeping some places open for meals.

At Isaac Elementary School District in Phoenix, J.B. Sutton Elementary opened for half-days since Tuesday.

It wasn’t quite business as usual Thursday morning for J.B. Sutton Elementary School Principal Randy Martinez.

"Good morning, Dr. Martinez!" the school children said as Martinez made the rounds to each classroom, checking on how things were going.

On the sixth day of a teacher walkout, Martinez worked with about three quarters of its usual staff and a few extra substitutes.

“We’re able to orchestrate it and maneuver, they’re fed, they're given the right teacher, happy face and they’re ready for the day,” Martinez said.

The classes are parsed out by teacher as kids ate breakfast. Teachers like English language development teacher Della Guzman, who supports the #RedforEd movement, but is happy to keep teaching.

“It’s unfortunate that we have to go these lengths but it’s amazing," she said. "The energy is here, the kids are coming back.

Guzman has watched over more students than usual for the half days, but said her district has supported her.

Several teachers and staff wore #RedForEd t-shirts. One brought a sign she carried at the Capitol into her classroom.

Martinez said his school serves a needy population, and his district has stayed in communication with their teachers when schools closed last Thursday.

“We had a district meeting almost a week ahead of time, walking through possibilities, what was the best case scenario, the worst case scenario," Martinez said. "They walked us through, 'here’s what district supports, here’s what we can do for you.'”

Walkout leaders have called for an end to the walkout Thursday.

Education The Show