Local teachers associations sign letter of concern

OnMonday, nineteen representatives from California Teachers Association chapters throughout Lake and Mendocino counties signed an open letter outlining the union’s concerns about reopening plans as the Coronavirus pandemic continues to worsen.

The letter, titled “1,400+ Educators United Because Lake & Mendocino Counties Need Safe & Healthy Schools,” voices concern for the lack of planning among some districts, and calls for school re-opening plans to “be based on medical science combined with educational best practices tomaximize students’ health and safety.”

Among the signatures are Sarah Magee of the Fort Bragg Teacher’s Association; and Pamela Duncan, of the Mendocino Unified Teacher’s Association. Other signators include representatives fromteachers associations Willits, Point Arena, Ukiah, and many more.

Steve Savage, California Teachers Association representative, said that while he recognizes that some districts have postponed their reopening decisions with a “wait and see” attitude, he wanted to remind the district that “all changes have to be decided as well as negotiated,” a nod to the bargaining agreements that would need to be ratified before alterations that would allow school reopening, or before varied instruction methods could take place.

The California Teacher’s Association letter notes “not all students have received consistently equitable education as a result of distance learning…We call on all districts to adequately support students, educators, and their families in order to provide the most safe and healthy learning