Teachers have numerous concerns about Connecticut’s plan for school reopening, and CEA leaders are talking with members daily and working on ways to make sure these issues are addressed.
There are many additional problems, but CEA’s major concerns about the reopening plan are as follows.
- No state funding is identified to assist in COVID-related costs, leaving already financially strapped districts on their own to pay for additional expenses to keep students, teachers, and staff safe.
- Districts are asked to prepare multiple plans and submit them to the State Department of Education (SDE) by July 24, but SDE will not approve the plans—only keep them on file.
- Masks are required for all students, teachers, and staff and local districts are required to procure and pay for PPE and other COVID-related expenses.
- Many districts are expected to run buses at or near capacity. There is no requirement for a bus monitor to help enforce protocols.
- There are no COVID-19 testing protocols, or requirements to take temperatures of anyone entering schools.
- The social distancing benchmark of six feet is not required, and only a guideline if and when it is feasible.
Next Thursday, July 9, the SDE and Commissioner Miguel Cardona are holding a webinar to discuss the reopening plan and answer questions from students, parents, educators, and community members. Click here to register.
In frequent virtual meetings with local association presidents from around the state, CEA leaders and staff have heard the concerns members are bringing to their local presidents and are compiling lists of issues that must be addressed.
Teachers have raised a number of ideas for ensuring our voices are heard—these include car parades and letter writing campaigns. Let us know if you have suggestions for collective actions that protect health and safety that you and your colleagues would be willing to join.
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