LAPLACE — Rumors swirling around social media regarding 22 teachers who allegedly resigned from East St. John High School over Christmas Break have absolutely no validity, St. John the Baptist Parish Public Schools officials said.

Human Resources Director Serina Duke said two English teachers and one assistant nursing teacher resigned over the holiday, and all three positions have been filled.

One teacher resigned to take care of a sick relative, while another left to pursue a career in counseling, Duke said.

The third teacher, who traveled from Houma each day, did not cite a specific reason for resignation, according to Duke.

“There is absolutely no truth in that rumor,” Duke said. “I don’t know why someone would even say that. We don’t want people destroying the perception of our schools over rumors that are just not true.”

Superintendent Kevin George agreed the rumor is “no where close to being true,” believing it to be a product of instant communication and a fascination with negative news.

“The good and bad thing about social media is that news spreads fast,” George said.

“A lot of people love bad news, and, unfortunately, that seems to spread very quickly. We try to dispel rumors when we hear of them.”

East St. John High hasn’t seen an inordinate amount of resignations or retirements this year, George said.

“With a staff of approximately 100 teachers, three people resigning at Christmastime isn’t that big a deal,” George said, adding resignations over winter break are less impactful than mid-semester schedule changes.

Even if there were several resignations, students would receive instruction from substitutes or dispersion to other classes, he said.

George and Duke conduct weekly human resources meetings to plan how teachers and students would be allocated in such cases.

George said anyone with concerns should contact the principal of the school in question or call the St. John the Baptist Parish Public Schools office at 985-536-1106 before adding fuel to rumors.