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NYC Teachers Union Head Vows Schools Won't Reopen If They Deem It Unsafe
By
David Cruz
Published Jul 16, 2020
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By
David Cruz
Published Jul 16, 2020
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Though NYC's public school reopening plan was released by the city, with tweaks for a "blended model" still under way, the head of the powerful teachers union remains skeptical of the plan. Michael Mulgrew said that any school that falls short of the union's expectations toward safety will not reopen.
His comments came the day after Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza was grilled by parents and teachers over whether the reopening plan had adequate input from the very people impacted by it.
Mulgrew, the head of the United Federation Teachers union, told WNYC's Brian Lehrer that the United Federation of Teachers will do "everything in our power to make sure a school doesn't open" if their teachers find it to be a breeding ground for the spread of COVID-19.
"We have told them if, in September, we are looking to do any sort of opening of the schools, we will be doing an on-site investigation and checking off to make sure that everything is in place at that school," Mulgrew told Lehrer. "At this moment, the odds are against us in terms of actually getting open safely on time, if at all."
Much of the concern for Mulgrew stems from whether school classrooms will be properly ventilated to prevent the spread.
"If we don't have what's called an a proper air exchange—free-flowing air—certain schools shouldn't be used at all. And then in certain schools, you should just eliminate a whole bunch of different classrooms," said Mulgrew.
Carranza said on NY1 on Thursday morning that a greater filtration system will be used to air out impurities. Classrooms, in the meantime, will be thoroughly cleaned each night to ensure safety for the next cohort of kids.
Another of Mulgrew's issues is allowing teachers who believe their health can be compromised if they return to in-person teaching to apply for a medical accommodation, something he said would be honored if a teacher between the age of 50 to 65 demonstrates they have a medical condition that makes them vulnerable to contracting the virus. Teachers over the age of 65 can be automatically exempt, while teachers living with immunocompromised relatives are not exempt. More than 70 Department of Education staffers, including teachers, aides, and principals died during the pandemic.
The schools chancellor told a group of school parents that there's little time to hear all concerns during a Wednesday night Panel for Educational Policy meeting.
“I am very sensitive to the fact that everybody wants to have a seat at the table; everybody wants to have a voice. I’m sorry. We don’t have months and months and months and months of a process where everybody goes through this process. We’re hearing, we’re sharing, we’re deliberating, and then we’re giving you information, but at the end of the day, we have to be ready to go and we have to be ready to go by the end of July," said Carranza. "So again, this is not being disrespectful to our families, but at the end of the day, let us do our job. And let us inform you and let us hear from you. And let’s not let perfection be the enemy of good.”
Both Mulgrew and Carranza have agreed that the reopening is a massive undertaking that's required all sides to lean in with a plan that's expected to be presented to the state on July 31st and approved by Governor Andrew Cuomo. A "blended" model of teaching was introduced last week, where students will spend some days in the classroom and other days learning remotely. Parents can also opt to have their child completely learn from home.
Asked whether a teachers strike is under consideration if the safety plan fails the union's needs, Mulgrew did not directly answer the question.
"We still have a month to go, and because we have a list of things that have to be answered beforehand. And if you asked me right now, if the school system is going to open in September, I would say 60%, that we'd be fully remote," said Mulgrew.
With Sophia Chang
Tagged
DOE
new york city
COVID-19
David Cruz
David is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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