After a popular cosmetology teacher died from complications related to COVID-19, the Washington Teachers’ Union filed a complaint against D.C. Public Schools on Tuesday, alleging the school system violated health and safety protocols at the Southeast high school where she taught.

In its complaint, the union alleges the school system failed to maintain a safe environment at Ballou STAY Opportunity Academy and neglected to inform students and staff members about a COVID-19 case at the Ward 8 school in a timely manner.

Helenmaire’ White died over the weekend, according to DCPS. White’s son confirmed she died from complications of COVID-19. He declined to comment on the union’s complaint.

Union president Elizabeth Davis said the school system never told students in White’s class she was sick and it took 11 days to notify the school community someone at the school had tested positive.

“There is absolutely no justification for that much of a delay. None that I would accept,” Davis said. “She was truly admired by her students, highly regarded by her colleagues.”

Elizabeth Bartolomeo, a spokesperson for D.C. Public Schools, said White reported to administrators on January 11 that she had been in close contact with someone outside the school who had COVID-19.

White did not report to work after that and told administrators on Jan. 21 she had tested positive for the virus, according to the school system. DCPS sent a letter notifying community members the next day that someone at Ballou STAY tested positive for the virus.

“We continue to follow all of our COVID-19 protocols,” she said. “We take our health and safety protocols very seriously.”

The vast majority of DCPS students who are currently learning in person returned to classrooms last week. But Ballou STAY and a handful of other schools opened to small groups of students in October. The Southeast high school was among the first campuses to return students to classrooms during the pandemic, bringing back students enrolled in career and technical education programs, including cosmetology.

White was among the first teachers at the school to volunteer for in-person work, according to the school system.

In a message to the school community Monday, Principal Cara Fuller said White died of “health complications” over the weekend but did not mention COVID-19. White taught at the school for 14 years, leading class potlucks and “extravagant hair shows.”

“Mrs. White was cherished as a close confidant and kind nurturer of everyone she encountered, both students and staff,” Fuller said in the message. “She always had a smile on her face and a gracious and welcoming spirit.”

City health officials determined the teacher was not in close contact with anyone at the school, according to the school system. A close contact is defined as someone who is within six feet of a person who has COVID-19 for a prolonged period of time or having contact with the secretions from an individual with COVID-19, such as being coughed on.

Officials with the union filed the complaint, formally called a grievance, Tuesday. The union is asking for a meeting with the school system’s employee relations department to resolve issues outlined in the complaint.

The union argues the school system failed to meet provisions in its contract with teachers, alleging class was held in a room or building where teachers were in danger because of unsafe conditions. The alliance of teachers also alleges the school system failed to maintain a school environment “free of hazards” that could lead to illness.

This story has been updated to include additional information from D.C. Public Schools and White’s son.