Broken Arrow City Council To Discuss Allowing City Employees To Fill In For Teachers

Broken Arrow Public Schools reached a record amount of teachers and school staff out last week, forcing the district to switch to distance learning for the rest of this week.

Now the city is getting involved to help fix the problem.

on Tuesday night, the Broken Arrow City Council will vote on a resolution to allow city employees to fill in for school employees who are out to help keep students learning in person.

Last Friday, more than 700 school employees were out for illness and other reasons. 

Broken Arrow said that’s the largest number the district has ever seen.

New Broken Arrow Superintendent Chuck Perry said an average high number for staff absences would be somewhere around 250. But last Monday the district had 406 absences and that number rose to 710, causing the school to pivot.

The district said these absences aren't just teachers. It is staff in child nutrition and the transportation department making it nearly impossible for buses to run routes.

The district said it is facing these absences on top of the challenge of staffing in today's employment climate. 

Tuesday's city council meeting begins at 6:30 p.m.

Broken Arrow is expected to return to in-person learning on Monday, Jan. 24th.