Chapter 6 - The School Put Mrs. Grayson on Leave the Same Day
The principal, Janice Howard, met me at the hospital.
She looked devastated.
Not performatively.
Actually.
“Mrs. Grayson has been removed from student contact pending investigation.”
I stared.
“Suspended?”
“Administrative leave.”
“Paid?”
“For now.”
I almost exploded.
Then remembered:
process.
Employment agreements.
Union rights.
Investigations.
Paid administrative leave did not mean:
reward.
It meant the district had removed her from children while determining facts.
Fine.
I asked:
“Did she admit taking the inhaler?”
“Yes.”
My anger sharpened.
“Why?”
Janice looked toward Rebecca.
Then back at me.
“She believed Lily was using it to avoid classwork.”
I laughed once.
“She believed she was a pulmonologist?”
“No.”
“Then why did she think belief mattered?”
Janice had no good answer.
Rebecca handed the principal the health-plan acknowledgment.
Mrs. Grayson’s signature.
Janice looked almost sick.
Then said:
“I’ve already notified district administration.”
“Good.”
“And our risk-management office.”
“Good.”
I asked:
“What happens now?”
Janice answered:
“We preserve records.”
“Interview staff.”
“Review prior complaints.”
“Determine policy violations.”
Then:
“And you should do whatever you need to do for Lily.”
Correct answer.
May you like
I already knew I would.
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