Ensuring Safety Of Students And Staff When Reopening Schools
Governor Cuomo announced last Friday (5/1) that New York State Public Schools will be closed for the remainder of the year.
Lee Adler, Cornell Senior Extension Associate for Labor and Unions, says he is concerned about the health of students and staff in the sense of how much is not known about the novel coronavirus and the combination of a densely populated place.
"When you put all of those different uncertainties, lack of knowledge, variables together...I just can't see a way that we can easily open the schools until our scientists tell us much, much more about this world that we're just beginning to understand," said Adler.
Adler says the uncertainties could put students and especially teachers at risk.
If students return to school in the fall, there are various ways that districts may adapt by having students go into school for shorter hours, attending in shifts, and enforcing more separation.
Adler adds that if public education is going to be reimagined in New York State, as Governor Cuomo suggested a technology-based plan with the Bill & Melina Gates Foundation on Tuesday, then parents and the teachers union should be there to help make those adjustments.
"(They) would be able to provide information about what their experiences have actually been in virtual classrooms," said Adler.
Governor Cuomo says there could be up to a 20% cut in state aid if the federal government does not include more funding in the next stimulus package.
While school administrators and boards of education have a fiscal responsibility to taxpayers, uncertainties and lack of budget reviews at the moment make it difficult to know where they stand.
"They have no idea financially where they're going to be even a month from now," said Adler.
This could mean cuts for staff, extracurriculars, and larger classes for students.
Adler says he cannot imagine union leaders allowing their members to go back to work in dangerous conditions until there is a comprehensive understanding of the virus or a vaccine.