Unions Ask For Education Workers To Be Prioritized For Vaccine

PLAINFIELD, IL — Education unions in the state are asking the government to take steps to make schools safer for staff and students when they finally return for in-person lessons.

One of the five measures the Illinois Education Association and Illinois Federation of Teachers want the government to work on is ensuring that education workers are prioritized when the coronavirus vaccine becomes available. Association of Plainfield Teachers President Dawn Bullock said if state leaders want the economy to flourish and return to a sense of normalcy, then the sooner "we can protect our workforce the better."

"A major issue we will face upon return to in-person learning is a substitute teacher and bus driver shortage," she said. "Without a vaccine, we will find ourselves in and out of remote learning for the remainder of this school year as staff and students continue to spread the virus."

School districts' failure to implement and enforce Illinois Department of Public Health guidance and requirements for schools puts the health of the teachers, students and communities at risk, the IEA said in a news release. The IFT agreed, saying since local decisions to return to in-person instruction or have remote learning have become so politicized, state lawmakers should set clear parameters that must be followed.

In addition to prioritizing the vaccine for teachers, the groups also want the state to:

• Establish clear metrics, so districts know when to switch to remote learning to keep students and staff safe.
• Enforce guidance and requirements put forth by the IDPH and ISBE, and heed the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
• Provide rapid COVID-19 testing in schools so infected students and staff can be identified before they spread the virus.
• Pass state legislation if the federal CARES Act isn’t renewed, so education workers are not forced to work while ill.

Bullock said that while she agrees with having rapid testing in schools, without the ability to supply the needed tests, Plainfield School District 202 is at the mercy of the state. Earlier there were concerns about younger students' ability to adhere to the strict safety guidelines, but she said they have now learned the skills of safety, and "we see them wearing masks while out and about."

"We have seen great success with our neighboring districts and D202 with our limited return," Bullock said. "Several schools have created videos to show students what returning to school would look like; traffic patterns in the hallways, entering specific doors etc. The key is educating students regarding expectations before their eventual return and continued support from parents."

D202 decided last month to extend its "adaptive pause" until the end of the semester amid the coronavirus surge. Students will not return to in-person learning until COVID-19 metrics improve. Bullock said this is a decision that "we can all understand."

"D202 has provided and supported students and staff with training, computers, and enhanced safety measures," she said. "When COVID-19 infections began to rise, the school board placed the safety of all in the forefront; a difficult decision indeed. Pausing while monitoring the metrics saves lives until a cure or vaccine arrives."

If the cases continue to surge and students are unable to return to school for yet another semester, it might be bad for the students, but the chances of the virus spreading and the loss of a family member "is far greater than any educational detriments right now," Bullock said.

"Our society has lost nearly 290,000 people in the United States alone. What I do know is that we are resilient, we see people of all ages return to college to reinvent themselves," she said. "Students all across the world will be at a disadvantage due to COVID-19 and missing out on in-person learning. Supporting students at home and school will close whatever gaps present themselves as a result of remote learning. As a country we can and will address these deficits."

IFT President Dan Montgomery said the set of legislations they are calling for will "put science and medicine in the driver’s seat as we all try to resume in-person schooling."

"Right now, school districts are free to ignore science and thus endanger our students’ and staff's health and well-being," he said. "We must ensure that schools do not become epicenters of virus spread, so we need our lawmakers to step in to establish clear metrics."

Kathy Griffin, IEA President, said there are no statewide metrics to guide districts, so they know when they need to provide remote instruction because the teaching and learning environment is not safe.

"This must change," she said. "Frankly, if the state legislature sets metrics for what keeps school doors open or triggers remote learning, it will help communities police themselves. If they see their numbers are broaching dangerous levels, they can control, by their own behavior, whether schools stay open. This is something that is greatly needed. We need lawmakers to do this on behalf of all residents of Illinois."