School district policy change could help teacher fighting rare form of cancer

MISSION VIEJO, Calif. (KABC) -- A teacher battling cancer could receive additional donated sick days if a policy revision at the school district is approved.

The Saddleback Valley Unified School District and the teacher's association wrote a memorandum of understanding to raise the 60-day cap on donated sick leave to 184 days Thursday.

The revised policy would need to be ratified, which is scheduled in April, but it could give Kristyn Fletcher, a teacher with a rare form of appendix cancer cancer, a chance at receiving additional donated sick days to extend her leave and benefits coverage.

The 47-year-old kindergarten teacher has also been fighting to keep her health insurance.

For 20 years, the wife and mother of four has taught at Cordillera Elementary School in Mission Viejo, but she's been out for nearly a year because of her health.

Right before a surgery in January, Fletcher was told by the district that she had used up all of her sick time and would be dismissed from work. If she were to retire, she would only receive half of her salary and no medical benefits.

She also cannot pay $2,000 a month for COBRA Insurance to keep her existing coverage.

On Tuesday, a fundraiser was held at a Ladera Ranch pizzeria to help her out, and nearly 17,500 has been raised on her YouCaring.com page, which can be found at www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/kristyn-fletcher-fighting-for-another-day/317173.