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The Milwaukee Public Schools have canceled classes for Friday because of the high number of teachers calling in sick.

"With these staff shortages, we will not be able to provide safe and appropriate class settings," Superintendent Gregory Thornton said in a statement.

MPS remained open on Thursday when thousands of teachers statewide called in sick to attend protests in Madison over Gov. Scott Walker's budget repair bill. More than 400 teachers called in sick on Thursday, about 20% above normal and MPS officials said those teachers would face some type of discipline.

TMJ4 reported this morning that more than 600 MPS teachers called in sick today.

At least 14 other districts in central Wisconsin, including Madison, Janesville and the Wisconsin Dells, also canceled classes due to the protests.