Nearly 500 Los Angeles Unified school employees were fired Tuesday, Dec. 7, for refusing to comply with a district mandate that they get their COVID-19 vaccine shots.
The school board voted 7-0 in separate motions to terminate the workers, of whom most, if not all, presumably had been on leave since mid-October when LAUSD staffers were to have received at least their first vaccine dose. Employees were required to receive their second dose by Nov. 15.
Shortly after the first-dose deadline in October, the district reported that 97% of its approximately 73,000 employees were at least partially vaccinated or had been granted a workplace accommodation due to a medical or religious exemption at that time. That still left more than 2,200 employees who were unvaccinated, however.
On Tuesday, a district spokesperson provided an update, saying nearly 99% of employees chose to be vaccinated. She also confirmed that 496 employees were let go because of non-compliance with the vaccine mandate, though the district did not say how many were classroom teachers. Terminated employees who later become vaccinated may be eligible for reemployment, she said.
On a related note, the district also reported Tuesday that 85% of students are currently in compliance with a mandate requiring those 12 and older to get their COVID-19 shots.
The 85% rate includes students who have received at least one vaccine dose, individuals with a medical exemption or qualify for conditional admission to the district. This last group include students such as homeless or foster youths, students whose families are in the military or certain special education students.
As for the 496 employee dismissals this week, 425 occurred as part of actions taken by the board in closed session Tuesday. Interim Board Secretary Amanda Wherritt reported that 418 classified and seven certificated employees were fired in 7-0 votes by the board.
In a statement after the meeting, interim Superintendent Megan Reilly said the district cares deeply about its employees.
“Parting ways with individuals who choose not to be vaccinated is an extremely difficult, but necessary decision to ensure the safety of all in our school communities,” Reilly stated. “We wish everyone the best in their future endeavors and encourage everyone to get vaccinated.”
Board Vice President Nick Melvoin also said Tuesday that overall, about 1,100 employees — including the ones fired Tuesday — currently are out of compliance with the vaccination mandate or have not been granted a medical or religious exemption. Additional settlements or dismissals are expected to occur in the coming weeks, he said.
Melvoin added that he’s grateful to all employees who have gotten their shots.
“Despite no one’s excitement at dismissing over 400 (staff members), the overall majority of our employees have been vaccinated and one of the reasons we’ve been able to keep schools open since August,” he said.
Before the board vote, district employee Tracey Schroeder pleaded with the board not to go through with the firings and said that experienced teachers trained to connect with students should be on campus at a time when so many children are seeking social-emotional supports.
“I’ve got 24 years and I just want to be back on my school site with the students that I love, with the staff that I love, with the school that hired me,” she said. “On behalf of all the teachers, please reconsider. There is natural immunity. … There’s choice. And there’s no need for such extreme measures.”
The local teachers union has endorsed the district’s vaccination requirements for both staff and students.
Nonetheless, the nation’s second-largest school district is facing lawsuits over its mandates.
