Three Rhode Island teachers who were fired for refusing COVID vaccine were offered jobs back after settlement

Three Rhode Island teachers who were fired for refusing to be vaccinated against COVID-19 were offered their jobs back after a legal settlement. 

The Barrington School Committee reached a settlement with Brittany DiOrio, Stephanie Hines and Kerri Thurber to receive a payment of $33,333, a spokesperson for the school district announced Thursday in a May 11th news release. Barrington Public Schools also said that the three teachers have the opportunity to return to teaching positions within the Barrington School District should they choose to do so.

"Our district was navigating an unprecedented health pandemic and leaned on the important recommendations by the CDC and the Rhoda Island Department of Health to ensure the safety of our students and school community," the statement reads. "Our then-policy helped combat the pressing public health crisis of the time, while keeping schools open, and one that nearly all faculty adhered to."