When a child gets sick, the last thing any sensible parent would want is for them to take it to school and spread it to others. However, a school district board in Tennessee has decided to nullify any student’s doctor’s notes for an absence. In other words, the board believes that being sick, even with proof from a physician, is no excuse for being absent from class. Not only that, but Director of Schools Michael Adkins got rather toxic in the way he addressed the issue with sick children being absent.
Toxic School Director Takes a Swing at Sick Children
“You can fail the grade. You can fail the course. You are going to be petitioned to court. You are not going to participate in graduation, get your driver’s license or permit,” Adkins aggressively ranted during a board meeting, per WSMV. He further threatened “to take control” to boost the district’s student attendance. “You can bring all the doctor’s notes you want, but it is still unexcused,” he stated. He continued, saying that one day, all the children would have to go to work someday and should clock in even if they’re sick.
It goes without saying that the internet found the board’s decision quite unreasonable, if not absurd. “Let’s stop normalizing this!” exclaims the top-upvoted comment on a Reddit post of the news story. “It’s ok to call out sick. In fact, we should call out sick, rather than infecting the whole office.” “Watch them get sick and have to call out of work,” jokes a reply. Another chimed in, saying that ever since the pandemic, many irrational people claim it’s ok to clock in sick because they and all their coworkers are “building their immune system.” An absolutely mindless take, to say the least.
Some commented that the Tennessee school director and others in support of him are probably against vaccinations, too. Hopefully, these “deranged’ beliefs on forcing sick children (and employees) to go to class or work don’t spread to other countries or states.
