Reopening schools

It has cometomy attention that there is a petition circulating requesting the Anne Arundel County Public School Board sit down with the Teachers Association of Anne Arundel County to negotiate the terms of special educators’ return to the classroomfor small groupinstruction ofour most vulnerable students.

I am a special education parent with high-risk family members. Two of my best friends are also special educators in the AACPS system with families and high-risk family members of their own. There is a very vocal contingent in our special education community whose children require in-person educational support services. I support their cause to obtain the necessary services for their children.

There is also a perhaps less vocal group of special ed families who want to know how the schools intend to meet their children’s individual special needs in our new virtual learning environment.

I am writing today to tell you that I support the teachers’ petition. I reject any stance that pits the needs of students against teachers. Our special educators have a legitimate interest in the health and safety protocols implemented by our schools.

It is time for the school board to sit down and negotiate with our teachers. An adversarial relationship with the teachers’ unionservesnoone’spurpose. Ourteachers want to ensure the safety of their own families and the children whom they serve. Until the teachers’ safety demands are met, we will proudly seek our services online. CORINNEEMERSON

Crofton