Pasco Teachers' Union Sues School District Over Plans To Reopen

PASCO COUNTY, FL — Nerves are fraying, tempers are flaring and the wheels of justice are churning in Pasco County as the first day of the school year approaches.

Continued concerns about the coronavirus pandemic have prompted the United School Employees of Pasco to file a lawsuit against Pasco County Schools objecting to the resumption of in-person classes on Aug 24.

The teachers' union is asking that all public school classes be held online until the coronavirus rate stabilizes in Pasco County.

The World Health Organization has advised governments that, before reopening, rates of positivity should remain at 5 percent or lower for at least 14 days.

Pasco County has an overall positive rate of 10.5 percent, according to the Florida Department of Health. However, the daily positive rate is on a downward trend. On July 12, the positive rate dipped below 10 percent (to 9.8 percent) and on Aug. 2, the latest date listed on the percent positive chart, the positive rate was 7.22 percent.

On Tuesday, 49 residents tested positive for the coronavirus in Pasco County with 516 residents testing positive in the last seven days.

Nevertheless, teachers say they still don't feel comfortable returning to the classroom with only face masks, social distancing and disinfectant to protect them.

In a protest organized by the teachers' union, about 50 teachers attending last week's school board meeting to express their concerns.

“We’re not saying we don’t want to go back. We just want to make sure when we do, we’re not putting people in an unsafe situation,” said Don Peace, president of the union. "Safety and common sense should prevail in this situation. We're just asking for some time to let the numbers go down to a satisfactory level as per CDC guidelines."

Although he pushed the starting date back two weeks from the original opening date of Aug. 10, Superintendent Kurt Browning said the school district has no choice but to reopen in August.

On July 6, Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran issued an executive order mandating that all public schools in the state reopen in August for classes five days a week. If schools do not open, said Corcoran, they risk losing state funding.

Last week, the Hillsborough County School Board decided it was worth the risk, voting to start the school year Aug. 24 with online classes only and delay the opening of brick-and-mortar schools for four weeks.

While members said they sympathized with the concerns of teachers, the Pasco County School Board isn't willing risk it's state funding.

Browning said he realizes it's not a question of "if" a child contracts the coronavirus; it's a question of "when."

"It is going to happen and it is so important that we get it right," he said.

But he believes the school district has done everything possible to safeguard both teachers and students.

A majority of Pasco County public school parents agree. In a survey, 67.9 percent of parents said they will send their students back to school on Aug. 24.

"We know it is a scary time for many, as it is an unusual time, and I’m sure there will be positive cases," Bexley Elementary School parent Nancy Pettit commented. "But we also know how badly these children, especially elementary age, need routine, structure, socialization and a physical education."

Pasco County's 4,730 school employees weren't as enthusiastic about returning to the classroom. A survey showed 46.6 percent of school employees intend to return to school while 19.02 percent plan to teach online. Another 34.4 percent didn't declare their intent.

See related stories:

• Pasco Schools To Delay Start Of School 2 Weeks
• Pasco Schools Plan To Mandate Masks
• Teachers, Parents Anxious As Aug. 24 School Reopening Looms
• Education Commissioner Says School Board Violated State Order
• Hillsborough Board Votes To Delay School Reopening 4 More Weeks