About 1,500 Boston school employees call in sick after holiday break

On the Boston district's first day of classes following the winter break, more than 1,000 employees called in sick. 

Superintendent Brenda Cassellius says 461 teachers, about 1,000 staff members, and 52 bus drivers were absent Tuesday with an illness, reports WHDH Channel News 7. 

Classes were not canceled on Tuesday, despite the significant shortages. Cassellius said that central office staff members have been deployed to help schools facing staffing shortages.

Boston canceled classes on Monday to give teachers and staff a chance to use the tests before returning to school.

Cassellius noted that not all sick teachers and staff reported Covid-19 symptoms.