Jan. 13, 2009 — Superior Court Judge Darryl Donohue issued a temporary restraining order Tuesday, enjoining teachers at John H. Woodson Jr. High from any work actions and ordering them to obey an Education Department directive to extend the school day 45 minutes.
The order comes a day after hundreds of Woodson students refused to go to class, marching to protest extending the school year and school day to make up for time lost because of excessive heat in the rooms and damage from Hurricane Omar. For their part, teachers refused to work the mandated extended day. (See "Woodson Jr. High Problems Prompt Walkout, Restraining-Order Request.")
The Department of Education announcement Friday it would extend school hours and the school year to make up for time lost due to excessive heat in the classrooms and some days lost due to Hurricane Omar in October.
In response, Education had the Office of Collective Bargaining file a complaint in V.I. Superior Court, asking for a temporary restraining order and an injunction against any more work action. On Tuesday the court complied. All the parties to the dispute are to appear in Superior Court at 11 a.m. Friday, when the judge will decide whether to make the restraining order and injunction permanent.
Back Talk Share your reaction to this news with other Source readers. Please include headline, your name and city and state/country or island where you reside.
