Arlington Teachers' Union Opposes Full Reopening Of Schools

ARLINGTON, MA — The Arlington Education Association is expected to speak in opposition to reopening schools at Thursday's School Committee meeting. The district has not yet announced which learning model it will put in place this fall, but per Department of Elementary and Secondary Education guidelines, it has come up with plans for in-person, hybrid and remote learning.

In a statement to the School Committee, the union wrote that it rejects the all-in-building plan to reopen schools.

"While we recognize that the WHO and American Association of Pediatrics has stated that students may sit 3 feet apart in class, we don’t believe that reaching only the bare minimum of safety standards is acceptable," the union wrote. "Would any of you buy a car that just barely passed the safety inspection? I wouldn't. Would you put your child in a car seat with terrible safety ratings because it is legally safe enough to be sold? I doubt it, if you had any other options. We have other options."

The union said it believes virtual school this fall could be a "robust" learning experience for Arlington students, despite the limitations of a remote forum, such as loss of contact with students and the strain it puts on families. Though the AEA is "impressed" with the safety improvements to school buildings so far, it said the district needs to go further if a hybrid model is enacted.

According to a facilities update from Arlington Public Schools' CFO Michael Mason Jr. and Director of Facilities Jim Feeney, the district intends to use system engineering controls like increased fresh-air ventilation in conjunction with upgraded air filtration where possible. The Facilities Department has conducted equipment inspections, performed maintenance and repairs and intends to outsource the recommissioning of HVAC equipment and reprogramming of building automation systems.

Facilities will operate fresh air and exhaust systems for longer periods to maximize filtration and achieve as many air changes as possible. Interior spaces without windows and sufficient mechanical ventilation will not be recommended for use.

The department recommends sanitizing high-touch surfaces like door knobs, railings, faucets, toilet levers and elevator buttons three to four times a day. Regular sanitization of surfaces such as desks, tables and countertops will also need to occur daily, the department said.

The district has identified non-essential items or furniture that may be removed, such as rugs, pillows and bean bags. Plexiglass barriers are being examined for learning spaces like the preschool, and tents are being considered in outdoor spaces.

The Facilities Department is working with the nursing team to identify rooms within nursing suites that may be used as isolation rooms for suspected COVID-19 patients.

Read more about the Facilities Department's actions here.

The AEA stressed the importance of a "social contract between families and staff" to supplement the safety of school buildings:

"It means frequent testing for everyone in buildings. It means that if a child wakes up not feeling well, families must promise not to dose them up on Tylenol and send them to school. It means following state quarantine rules- no secret weekend trips to Disney World or grandma’s house in a hot spot state because 'flights are just so cheap right now.' It means children will be taught social distancing and wearing masks is not an option, even when they are hanging out with friends at Dunkin' Donuts or in the Center."

The union said there is no "good answer" but urged district officials to put "safety first."

"Our lives literally depend on it," the AEA wrote.

Read the full statement here.