It says says it’s decision to require teachers to report to work without safety measures against COVID-19 is ‘reckless.’
Frederick, Md (KM) The Frederick County Teachers Association is expressing no confidence in Superintendent Doctor Theresa Alban and the Board of Education.
In statement, the FCTA Representative Assembly said it took the vote on Friday, January 22nd, citing their decision to require teachers to return to their school buildings before health and safety measures are met, and before educators have been vaccinated against COVID-19. The Assembly says this is putting educators and students at higher risk of contracting and spreading the coronavirus.
The FCTA says the Representative Assembly is its highest government body, and its member are elected to represent each worksite within the School System.
Recently, the School System announced that hybrid learning would begin on February 16th, and teachers are required to report to their schools on Wednesday, January 27th.
The Representative Assembly says this decision is “reckless” and “needlessly endangers” the health and welfare of staff and students.
In response, the Frederick County School System issued a statement saying the vote of no confidence in Superintendent Dr. Alban and the Board of Education is “truly unfortunate.” It said throughout this global pandemic, FCPS has done it all can to accommodate the health and safety of students, staff and the community.
The statement said the School Board voted to start hybrid learning on January 28th, with staff returning to the buildings on January 13th. But after consultations with Frederick Count Health Officer Dr. Barbara Brookmyer, Dr. Alban agreed to delay the start of in-person learning until January 16th, with teachers reporting to their classrooms on January 27th. FCPS says Dr. Alban wasn’t comfortable with a possible post-holiday spike of COVID-19 cases.
The School System says in its statement that it’s hopeful the number of coronavirus cases will go down. But if increases continue, Dr. Alban has been empowered to make the appropriate decision.
“We have confidence in the FCPS hybrid learning plan, one that follows all health and safety guidelines from the Frederick County Health Department, Maryland Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,” the School System says in its statement.
By Kevin McManus