ISTA Statement on Needed Requirements for Continued Safe Reopening of Public Schools
07/30/2020
ISTA President Keith Gambill issued the following statement urging virtual learning in hard hit communities and other immediate requirements be met for reopening Indiana’s public-school buildings.
“As Indiana’s COVID-19 infection rates continue to climb we believe before school buildings reopen for in-person learning, data must indicate that COVID-19 is under control in the school’s community. We have sent the governor a letter outlining this requirement, along with four others that should be met for in-person learning this fall.
These five requirements include:
- The COVID-19 pandemic must be under control in the community served by the school before in-person learning is allowed.
- Specific protections must be put in place in all schools to keep the virus under control and protect students and staff.
- Plans must be in place to safeguard continuous learning for all students.
- Increase transparency in reporting of COVID-19 in schools.
- Provide additional state support for parents with children in virtual instruction.
We believe in-person learning is essential for our students and their families. However, no educator should be forced to choose between their livelihood and their health or safety.”
More information about ISTA’s five requirements can be found on ISTA’s website.