Chatham School Officials Urge NJ To Let Teachers Get Vaccinated

CHATHAM, NJ — If New Jersey made teachers eligible for COVID-19 vaccination as soon as some thought they would, the School District of the Chathams could have returned to greater normalcy after spring break, according to Superintendent Dr. Michael LaSusa. But since the state hasn't expanded vaccination eligibility to school staff, Chatham may need to stick with limited in-person schooling beyond that, LaSusa said.

At Wednesday's Board of Education meeting, LaSusa and several board members advocated for state officials to let school staff get inoculated. They also urged members of the public to contact state agencies about the same.

New Jersey expanded eligibility Jan. 13 to people 65 and older and those with qualifying medical conditions. Two days later, Gov. Phil Murphy issued a new vaccine priority list and said teachers were "on deck." Read more: NJ Issues New COVID Vaccine Priority List; Teachers 'On Deck'

But school staff around the Garden State continue to wait for their opportunity.

"I can’t quibble with trying to vaccinate high-risk groups," LaSusa said. "It’s obviously a life-and-death matter. But as a superintendent, I feel I have an obligation to advocate for the staff members who are serving on the frontline and working with literally dozens of students on a daily basis inside their classrooms."

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Had New Jersey opened eligibility for school staff, LaSusa imagined a timeline where all Chatham staff who wanted to could get both doses by around St. Patrick's Day. That would allow the district to approach normalcy by April 12, when students return from spring break, he said.

As health-care employees, school nurses have been able to receive vaccinations. LaSusa believes they deserve it, since they treat children with potential or confirmed cases of the coronavirus.

New Jersey and the United States have faced COVID-19 vaccine shortages though, which has caused states to delay advancing through their schedules for eligibility. But many states already began allowing teachers to get vaccinated.

Twenty-five states, including New York and Pennsylvania, have opened vaccine eligibility to teachers in at least some counties, according to The New York Times. That also includes West Virginia, which allows teachers 50 or older to get vaccinated.

Boardmember Michelle Clark believes the Chatham school community can help New Jersey become part of that list.

"If you feel it’s important, it’s one email," she said. "Send it to the governor’s office. Send it to the department of education. Tell them your child has been in school and what that has meant for your child. In order for that to continue, our teachers need to be protected."

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