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Anderson Community Schools closed Wednesday due to ‘staff absences’

ANDERSON, Ind. (WISH) – Anderson Community Schools students will not get instruction on Wednesday.

On Wednesday morning, the school system posted on social media that all schools will be closed. Additionally, the system said there will be no e-learning.

The system said the closure is due to a “high number of staff absences.”

On Friday, the system had posted on social media that they were “in negotiations with the Anderson Federation of Teachers on a new collective bargaining agreement for teachers and other certified staff at ACS.”

News release

“ANDERSON – The Anderson Community School Corporation (ACSC) is closed on Wednesday, November 3rd with no e-Learning. The district’s decision to close was due to 15%-20% of teachers engaging in an illegal concerted job action by calling off work today.

“‘We are disappointed that these teachers are choosing to do this as it hurts our parents and students,’ said Superintendent Dr. Joe Cronk. ‘We are appreciative of the vast majority of staff that have continued coming to work as we continue the bargaining process with the Anderson Federation of Teachers (AFT).’

“By mutual agreement by a representative of the ACSC and AFT, the parties have entered into mediation with a state appointed Indiana Education Employment Relations Board (IEERB) mediator/financial consultant. The first mediation session by mutual agreement is scheduled for tomorrow.

“Under ACS’ current proposal, teachers would receive a $2,000 increase in base salary and $10,000 in stipends over the next two years. The contract ensures that despite a health insurance premium increase all staff will see an increase in their take home pay.

“ACSC is planning to re-open on Thursday, November 4th. Should ACSC have to close again they will inform parents, guardians, and the public.”

Anderson Community Schools news release on Oct. 3, 2021