Nearly 700 Elk Grove Teachers Call In Sick

ELK GROVE (CBS13) — In the midst of tense contract negotiations between the Elk Grove Unified School District and its teachers union, 683 teachers called in sick Friday.

A district spokeswoman says the union said a week ago that no sick-out was planned. She admits, though, rumors have been going around for weeks that a wave of sick calls could come Friday.

"Well, you'd have to ask the union leadership," district spokeswoman Liz Graswich said. "They've told us it is not a sick-out, so we have to take their word for it."

At Sheldon High School 62 of the 104 teachers were out. The district, which employs 3,200 teachers, had substitutes ready and says no classes have been canceled.

Kay Jackson pulled her daughter Brandy out of school in a show of support for teachers.

"It probably has to do with medical and budget cuts, and I just feel it's unnecessary," she said. "They have to do a lot here and if we don't support them, who will?"

The district says it's "monitoring the situation" and looking at possible next steps, though they wouldn't elaborate.

The district says it's informed the union that an organized sick-out is an unlawful tactic during a negotiation.

The teachers union refused to comment when contacted by CBS13, but an email to CBS13 from an Elk Grove teacher Friday morning said the sick-out was a "grassroots effort" in response to the district insisting on a hard cap for teachers' health benefits.