Teachers concerned about in-person learning
Teachers expressed trepidation about entering inperson classrooms and parents demanded answers to alleviate an atmosphere of return to school uncertainty during an Aug. 17 L’Anse Creuse Public Schools Board of Education meeting.
The school board approved a plan involving virtual and in-person school options Aug. 10.
“As of last week the idea was in L’Anse Creuse, we were offering a choice to our families because in our family survey over 70% of our families had a desire to return to school,” Superintendent Erik Edoff said Aug. 17.
On Aug. 17, the board conducted a virtual committee of the whole meeting and heard teacher concerns about their safety in in-person classrooms. Local 1 L’Anse Creuse Education Association President Kathy Parmentier advocated on behalf of the teachers health and safety during in-person instruction.
“I have shared with the board the results of a recent teacher survey which shows that the majority of teachers are uncomfortable with returning to the classroom at this time. The fact that a discussion about the teachers concerns or a possible remote start is not on the agenda today is more than just disappointing. Quite frankly, it is disrespectful to all of our teachers who have voiced concerns about their safety and starting schools with face-to-face,” Parmentier said.
Parmentier said she was also disappointed that she received responses from only two board members to an e-mail she sent, which included concerns and the results of teacher surveys.
“In addition the board also received a letter from MEA (Michigan Education Association) Local 1, stating that all safety guidelines must be followed to open schools safely. And we have yet to receive any response or acknowledgment to that letter. This seems to send a message that the board does not care how the teachers are feeling,” Parmentier said. “With the news that surrounding districts have decided to put the health and safety ahead of all else and start school remotely it is disturbing that the discussions of a possible remote start has yet not happened. How can we not even be discussing the possibility of starting the year remotely? I can’t imagine how other districts were unable to follow the recommended guidelines but L’Anse Creuse feels it is safe to return with face-to-face instruction.”
Parmentier said another point that has not yet been addressed is the number of teachers with medical conditions or that have family with medical conditions.
“Those teachers currently have no other option but to take a leave of absence to protect the health and safety of themselves and their families. In addition to the teachers who are medically at risk, there are others who are fearful who are also considering taking a leave because they feel their health is in jeopardy,” Parmentier said.
Parmentier said that in an initial survey, about 40 teachers were considering a leave of absence. A second survey showed that over 44 responded they did not plan to return in the fall, while some others were undecided, Parmentier said. Teachers are also concerned about the need to social distance and disinfect classrooms, according to Parmentier.
“It is the board of education’s responsibility to ensure all staff and students are safe. And the current plan is insufficient and lacks the health and wellbeing of our staff and students. I urge the board to consider, reconsider the plan of returning with face-to-face instruction and have those difficult discussions,” Parmentier said.
Ken Grix, the treasurer of the Local 1, L’Anse Creuse Education Association, expressed his concerns as a teacher and parent in the district. Grix has children at the elementary, middle and high school level in the district.
“Having seen the plans at all levels, having had a staff meeting this morning, every single question the teachers have asked, the answers were, ‘I don’t know. We’re working on it. We’re not sure. We will look into that.’ We have been given no details about virtually anything in terms of plans that need to be implemented three weeks from tomorrow. The fact that we are still having these discussions is absurd. I’m curious what this board thinks, as a teacher and as a parent, what do they think they know that Chippewa Valley and Utica don’t,” Grix said.
Grix said that as a parent, he has received no information about what the day will look like for children at any grade level, whether he chooses virtual or in-person learning. He was also concerned that some of the COVID-19 safety measures conflict with safety measures to prevent active shooter situations.
“The simple fact is, anybody in education knows there will not be appropriate social distancing in schools because it is just not possible,” Grix said.
Edoff referred parents to the district website at lc-ps. org for updated return to school FAQ.
“We have referred out specific questions that are building in nature to our buildings. And they have been responding to parents and families, answering specific questions as well,” Edoff said. “Last Friday our buildings put out specific plans in response to many of the questions that they have received.”
Edoff said many, although not all questions, have received responses.
He also said that the week of Aug. 17 would be a sign-up period for the virtual program. This program is designed to create smaller classes, so teachers can create more social distancing in in-person classrooms. The district must determine the level of interest in the virtual program in order to determine what social distancing will look like in classrooms, Edoff said.
“I am fully aware, fully aware, that there will be situations where that could be challenging and we must address that. It is not OK to open schools if we cannot create social distancing in classrooms as we have stated is our goal. It is not. We must do something different then,” Edoff said.
The superintendent said he has worked with the teacher’s union on a near daily basis, has had almost daily conversations with other local superintendents and contacts the health department twice per week. Teachers have been involved on operationalizing procedures for classrooms, arrival and dismissal.
Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Greg Dixon addressed concerns about the availability of teachers. The district has about 578 total teachers. He said Family and Medical Leave Act requests would be examined on a case-by-case basis.
“We would want to work rigorously with the teachers association to alleviate any and all concerns that we possibly can for members who did not feel comfortable coming back for reasons that were related to the plan,” Dixon said.
Dixon said the collective bargaining agreement allows teachers to request a leave of absence for personal reasons. The agreement also states that if a teacher can’t be replaced due to the critical nature of the school program, the superintendent would meet with representatives of the association to try and determine what could be done to rectify the reason for the leave. If an agreement can’t be reached, the board can deny the leave.
The district has returning permanent subs for the buildings at the same ratio as in the past. Conversations have also been had with a third-party vendor. Dixon said that because of the number of districts that have decided to go all virtual, they have an abundance of subs.