Ohio Teacher Who Allegedly Called in Sick for 2 Days to Attend Concert Now Faces Termination

An Ohio teacher is facing termination after she allegedly took two sick days from work to attend an out-of-state concert.

According to school district records seen by PEOPLE, Lakota West High School teacher Eileen Washburn is currently on unpaid leave after a vote by the Lakota Local School Board.

The school board noted in a copy of its resolution that the longtime educator allegedly "falsified sick leave" on Feb. 8 and 9 and told colleagues that she was attending a show in Nashville.

Washburn, a high school English teacher who is also listed online as a Loveland City School District board member, reportedly "refused to answer questions" about her "whereabouts" or "specifics on her alleged need for sick time" during a "predisciplinary meeting," the resolution read.

She has been teaching at Lakota West since 2015, and previously taught at Princeton High School from 2004-2015, according to her bio on the Loveland District's website.

She has worked as a varsity softball coach, student government advisor and yearbook advisor, among several other roles. The educator is also a mother of two children, per her bio.

The Cincinnati Enquirer reported that Lakota's Interim Superintendent Elizabeth Lolli recommended that Washburn's suspension be continued until the board vote to terminate her on April 22, unless she requests a hearing

"From the evidence gathered, the conclusion was that Ms. Washburn’s actions violated O.R.C. §3319.141, Collective Bargaining Agreement Section 14.01(H), a number of Board Policies, including 3432 (Sick Leave) and 3210 (Staff Ethics)," the board's resolution to consider termination reads.

"Her actions also violated the Licensure Code of Professional Conduct for Ohio Educators, specifically Principles 1 and 3. 4. Other good and just cause," it continues.

Washburn must next "file a written demand for a hearing" before an April 22 public meeting, according to the resolution.

In a statement to PEOPLE Monday, Lolli said that the school district does not comment on personnel matters, but that there were a few points to clarify.

Lolli said that Ohio law and Lakota's collective bargaining agreement provide specific reasons that a public school employee may take sick leave. "This is different from private employers who give access to a broader use of 'paid time off,' " the official wrote. "Lakota's educators are aware that they may only take sick leave for very specific reasons, and that under statute, taking sick leave for a reason not permitted under statute is considered falsification which can result in termination. All educators in Ohio are held to this standard through the Licensure Code of Professional Conduct for Ohio Educators set by the State Board of Education."

"Lakota takes allegations of falsification of sick leave seriously and will pursue this personnel matter through its statutory process," Lolli concluded.

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Washburn and the president of the Lakota Local School Board, Julie Shaffer, did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment on Sunday and Monday.

Several commenters on the district's Facebook page and on X (formerly Twitter) have since expressed concern with the school board's decision.

In one post in particular, the district limited comments, claiming they "violate our Social Media Terms of Use: The comments are unrelated to the original message and spirit of the post."