Several teachers in Jurupa Valley, California, have reportedly been placed on paid leave while the school district investigates controversial social media posts made during the nationwide “A Day Without Immigrants” strike.

In the now-deleted Facebook comments, at least five teachers and one counselor from Rubidoux High School reveled in the fact that their classes were smaller and more productive without the striking students, The Press-Enterprise reported. The comments were captured in screenshots posted by Rubidoux High alumna Guadalupe Lopez.

Science teacher Geoffrey Greer started the thread Thursday afternoon by saying the nationwide strike only proved “how much better things might be without all this overcrowding.”

“That’s what you get when you jump on some sort of bandwagon cause as an excuse to be lazy and/or get drunk,” Mr. Greer wrote. “Best school day ever.”

Art teacher Robin Riggle responded by saying the 50 absences in her classes made it “a very pleasant day.”

Science teacher Allen Umbarger wrote: “Unfortunately, statistically my cumulative GPA increased today. Mostly failing students were missing.”

Science teacher Chuck Baugh added: “Quieter classes, more productive - let’s do this more often.”

Agriculture teacher Rhonda Fuller wrote: “Same here! Small classes, trouble makers were gone fantastic day!”

Guidance counselor Patricia Crawford declared “more, please” after stating that the cafeteria was much cleaner after lunch and that there were less disciplinary issues than on a normal school day.

Facing backlash from the district and community members, Mr. Greer deleted the original post and issued an apology.

“While I stand by my assertion that skipping school is no way to demonstrate one’s value to society, I do apologize for the harsh tone and hurtful structure of the previous message,” he wrote, KTLA reported.

Jurupa Unified School District Superintendent Elliott Duchon said the teachers’ posts don’t reflect the “beliefs and core values of the district or staff.”

“We want to express that we are deeply concerned and distressed about the postings,” Mr. Duchon said in a statement posted on the district’s website. “We will investigate further and will take appropriate action in this matter.”

He didn’t say how many teachers were placed on leave and declined to elaborate on what further action might be taken against them, The Press-Enterprise reported.

Rubidoux students walked out of their classes about noon Friday to protest the controversial posts, The Press-Enterprise reported.

Students walking out after Rubidoux High teachers make disparaging comments about students participating in #ADayWithoutImmigrants pic.twitter.com/eZqM2co5WH — Alejandra Molina (@alemolina) February 17, 2017

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