ZEPHYR COVE -- Attorneys and district officials visited Whittell High School on Friday to interview staff regarding a one-day mass absence of teachers.

Eleven of the school's 16 classroom teachers called in absent Oct. 30. Douglas County School District officials began last week to investigate the reason for the sick day.

Rich Alexander, assistant superintendent in charge of human resources for Douglas County School District, conducted interviews along with the district's attorneys Jim Hales and Mike Rowe. A stenographer was also present.

Alexander delivered a memo on Nov. 5 to Whittell's teachers regarding Friday's first round of questioning. It stated those who were absent could face disciplinary action. Teachers who did not cooperate with the interviews could also face some form of punishment, which could include dismissal or dock of pay.

Alexander referred questions to Dave Brady, Douglas County's school board president.

"The district cannot condone violation of Nevada law or of its negotiated contract which binds each teacher," Brady said. "Equally important is ethical improprieties for any staff member to abandon students during school hours for unsanctioned purposes."

Principal Janie Gray said the absence rate by teachers that day was unusual. She refused to speculate on a reason, although some mentioned it could have been a planned protest. Others said it was valid and not connected to any sort of objection.

"In my years of education I never had 50 percent of the faculty absent unless there was a flu," Gray said. "I was not aware of anything like the flu."

Marty Cronin, president of Douglas County Professional Education Association, said a clause in the teacher's contract prohibits a work stoppage or slowdown. The clause echoes Nevada Revised Statute 288.070.

"There's certainly been no work stoppage by the staff at Whittell," Cronin said. "We know it and the association has always abided by the law in regards to strikes in Nevada."

A nervous mood was apparent Friday at Whittell. Teachers huddled in groups and talked behind closed doors. They felt they were on trial.

"There's some discontent over here," one said.

"It is hot," said another. "It's bad and it's going to get worse."

Gray conducted business as usual during school hours. She had meetings and supervised the campus.

"I absolutely think there was a great deal of anxiety in the building and I think that was contagious to the students," she said.

Sophomore Jack Swaving said three of his four teachers were not at school on Oct. 30.

"(Students) said it was some sort of conference," he said. "I don't know what was going on, but a lot of teachers were gone."



-- E-mail William Ferchland at wferchland@tahoedailytribune.com.