Dozens Of BK Schools Don't Have Enough Staff To Reopen: Survey

BROOKLYN, NY — A Brooklyn school district has come up with its own plan for reopening this fall after a survey found nearly all 24 of its schools don't have enough staff, protective equipment or answers under the city's plan to resume classes.

District 13 — which extends over Fort Greene and parts of Crown Heights and Bed-Stuy — recently released a detailed proposal on how New York City's schools should reopen based on data from more than 20 of its middle and elementary schools.

The plan, first reported on by the Daily News, reveals startling gaps in the city's preparations thus far in its push to get schools back to in-person classes by Sept. 10.

For one, none of the 26 schools surveyed by District 13 could say they currently have enough teachers to follow the city's model, which will have kids switch between in-person classes and remote learning while also offering full-time virtual classes for those who opt to stay remote.

Seven of the 26 schools said it is "to be determined" if they have enough staff, while the rest answered no.

The survey also revealed that the city is lagging in its deliveries of masks, hand sanitizer, gloves and other protective equipment.

Only about a third of 24 schools surveyed about PPE had gotten each of the deliveries as of Aug. 11, the survey showed. And some deliveries, like floor signage likely for social distancing guidelines, hadn't been delivered to any.

The Department of Education and Mayor Bill de Blasio, who unveiled a "Back To School Pledge"this week, have repeatedly said they will ensure all schools get what they need before Sept. 10.

But District 13's educators aren't the first to raise a red flag about the upcoming school year.

The city's teachers union this week threatened a strike over coronavirus safety concerns. Another group of Brooklyn principals, from District 15, have also cited a lack of preparation when urging city officials for a reopening delay.

Both District 15 and District 13 instead propose phasing in in-person learning later in the year — up until Oct. 13 by age group for District 13.

Fort Greene Prep Academy principal Paula Lettiere told the Daily News the delay would ensure the reopening is successful.

“We want to make sure it’s sustainable,” she said. “What we’ve seen is people open up, kind of have a plan, and then shut down. We want to have a thoughtful re-entry so we don’t have to knee-jerk go back into this.”

Read District 13's full proposal and petition here.