New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
Unions want uniform approach for school COVID-19 cases
A coalition representing teachers, classroom aides and child care workers are insisting the state should implement specific policies for handling COVID-19 outbreaks in schools.
With positive cases reported in more than two dozen school districts across the state since inperson classes resumed in the past two weeks, the coalition wants guidelines from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the state Department of Public Health to be the ultimate authority in assuring student and staff safety.
“While we understand each school district is unique, the state must provide specific protocols that districts must follow when someone tests positive for the virus, including providing detailed information to parents and teachers,” said Jeff Leake, president of the Connecticut Education Association, the state’s largest teachers union.
The CEA, along with the American Federation of Teachers — CT, and AFSCME Local 3194, together representing more than 60,000 public education employees, have issued a list of 13 protocols they say are necessary to protect students and staff health.
“The absence of consistent guidelines and adherence to protocols is evident in many districts, as is a lack of quality PPE and CDC-approved disinfecting and cleaning supplies,” Leake said. “Without state mandates, transparency, and open communication, districts are jeopardizing the health and safety of entire school communities.”
David Glidden, executive director of the
CSEA, a service employees union representing about 25,000 school paraeducators, school bus drivers and monitors, said if the state or local districts don’t follow the recommendations, they are putting children and staff at risk.
“We will continue to shine a light on deficiencies until the maximum level of safety is achieved for all of our school communities, students and staff alike,” Glidden said.
Last week, Gov. Ned Lamont said school districts should follow health department protocols in response to positive cases, but added that ultimately he was leaving decisions up to school superintendents.
“As of (Tuesday), there have been very few infections,” Lamont said Wednesday during a press availability in Middletown. “But it is always concerning. I appreciate that.”
He said steps being taken are to reassure the public.
The state Department of Education, meanwhile, referred to a two-page addendum to school reopening guidelines issued by the state that contain specific protocols and criteria for a uniform approach to managing and responding to COVID cases in schools, including when to close.
The guidance rebukes any assertion that there is no statewide process for addressing COVID scenarios in the school setting, said Peter Yazbak, a state Department of Education spokesman.
“The unions’ notion that the state’s guidance is not clear is surprising given the fact that state officials, at a minimum, are meeting with the unions twice a week and the addenda that address these issues have been made publicly available starting over a month ago,” Yazbak said Wednesday.
“It’s disappointing to hear from those who represent our teachers at this stage of the school year as we are seeing so few cases in our school buildings and many schools remaining open,” Yazbak said.
“It is clear that the recommended mitigation and monitoring strategies in place are working.”
Positive cases have popped up in 32 of roughly 200 school districts, statewide according to state officials. Among impacted districts are Bridgeport, Norwalk, Shelton, Trumbull, Newington, Naugatuck, Stratford, Waterbury, Glastonbury, East Hartford and West Haven. Responding actions have varied. In 12 cases schools were shut down temporarily. Others have sent specific classes home, isolated cohorts of students, and others had done little or nothing.
“Across the state, we’re seeing red flags. We can’t ignore the signs,” said Stacie Harris-Byrdsong, president of the union representing paraeducators, lead educators, child care workers, and oral interpreters at Capitol Region Education Council schools. “We need to ensure parents, the public, and entire school communities know the procedures and what’s being done when a COVID-19 case is confirmed.”
Kristen Malloy-Scanlon, a literacy teacher at West Haven’s Savin Rock Community School and president of the West Haven Federation of Teachers, said school districts need a specific roadmap from the state with tighter policies and protocols.
"The entire education community must be kept informed,” Leake said.
In Bridgeport, the gap between cases being identified and reported to the public by the school district, has led to leaks on social media, and some misinformation.
Bridgeport Schools Superintendent Michael Testani told his Board of Education this week that he is working with the local teachers union and the city’s Department of Public Health to follow a deliberate process and protocol that takes time.
Bridgeport closed Tisdale school, first for a day, then the entire week when two key staff members, who came into contact with many students and teachers, tested positive for the virus.
On Monday, seventhand eighth-graders from Park City Magnet school were sent home for remote learning when a seventh-grader tested positive. Both grades share the same four core teachers.
In Stratford, when a single staff member at Second Hill Lane, tested positive, that individual was kept home to quarantine but no further action was deemed necessary. It was determined the infection occurred outside of school.