FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, October 8, 2020
Statement from BTU on support for safe, in-person instruction for highest-need students
Union advocates for appropriate in-person staffing plans and district adherence to prior safety agreement
BOSTON, MA— BTU President Jessica Tang shared the following remarks this evening.
“BTU is seeking injunctive relief because the union supports safe, high quality instruction for high-needs students. We value in-person learning, and believe that the botched pandemic response of the federal government has put communities across the nation in an extremely difficult position. We believe that the school district must take steps immediately to assure safety with appropriate staffing ratios to protect not just high-needs students, but also their families, educators, and the community at large.
That means a thoughtful, intentional staffing plan that preserves the appropriate number of people in buildings and reduces the viral footprint when there are more staff than necessary in buildings that have not been deemed safe. We are taking this step to ensure the right for everyone to be safe as possible, whether it is remote or in-person, and we will continue to dialogue with the district and city to have the highest quality learning programs carried out in the safest possible way. In lieu of a comprehensive plan, the district must honor the language and intent of the safety agreement .
BTU will continue to comply with the language in the safety agreement that allows for an option to teach remotely today, tomorrow and beyond, and will support any educators that may face undue repercussions as a result of exercising their right to work safely and remotely now that the city-wide rate is above 4%, and is much higher in many Boston neighborhoods.
The union recognizes and supports the importance of in-person instruction for many of its high needs students. Our educators are aligned with the parents who want a plan from BPS for the safest, highest quality in-person services possible for high needs students, and we strongly support the educators, who are also parents, and often parents of high needs students, as well, in doing what is best and safest for their families.
In order to achieve the goal of providing the best possible instruction for all students, BPS must work with the BTU to create a scheduling plan that ensures appropriate staffing for high quality instruction in buildings that are safe, without sending in thousands of non-essential staff whose presence unnecessarily increases the risk of COVID-19 transmission among students, educators, and the public at-large.
In-person students should have teachers who can focus on their in-person services, while others are focused on remote students. The BTU will keep fighting for what is best for students, families and educators both for their academic needs and also for their health and safety.”
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About the Boston Teachers Union:
The Boston Teachers Union proudly represents more than 10,000 teachers and other professionals including school nurses, psychologists, guidance counselors, paraprofessionals, and substitute teachers. Together, we advocate for the interests of students, parents and education professionals throughout the Boston Public Schools. We support investment in public education to ensure a stronger future for our students and our city. As a union of educators, we are part of a movement that seeks to improve the quality of life for all working people. We are united against all forms of prejudice and bigotry that would seek to devalue the lives or liberties of our students, families or colleagues.