MONTCLAIR EDUCATION ASSOCIATION CALLS TO POSTPONE HYBRID LEARNING

The health, safety, and well-­‐‑being of our students, families, staff, and community at large must be our top priority. Over the past week, we have watched the infection rate of COVID-­‐‑19 rise with each passing day. As the numbers rise in our community, our members’ confidence in our buildings’ readiness has fallen. There are earnest concerns over the district’s lack of
communication and clarity over the decision to go back into the buildings on January 19, 2021.

On November 11, 2020, Superintendent Dr. Jonathan Ponds originally stated in the first Hybrid Announcement, “Unfortunately, the data I received this morning demonstrates an increase in community spread of COVID-­‐‑19. It is with a heavy heart that we must continue with fully remote instruction for all students until it is safe to change course. The health of our community, students and staff is paramount and pausing our hybrid plan at this time is in the best interest of public health due to the increase in the rate of infection.”

The rate of infection on the day of the statement, according to COVID Act Now, was 1.14, and averaging 42.8 cases per 100k people. The rate of infection today is 1.15, and the cases per 100k people are 65.4. These numbers have been trending up since the holidays, as expected. With limited people in our school buildings, our schools have been shut down eleven different times, making it difficult to feel safe when increasing the buildings’ populations.

In addition to the numbers increasing daily, the readiness of our buildings presents increased concern for our students, families, and members. Members are apprehensive about last-­‐‑minute disseminations of changes and updates and the lack of clear protocols and safety measures.

“We are calling on Superintendent Dr. Jonathan Ponds and the Montclair Board of Education to make the pedagogically sound and the safe decision to continue remote instruction,” said MEA President Petal Robertson. “Our goal is to never be adversarial but instead to always be advocates. Advocates for our staff, educators, students, to not return to buildings until the numbers are mitigated and steady enough for all to do so. It will also allow our district to develop and disseminate an explicit and comprehensive plan for all staff returning, and allay any parent concerns for their
student’s safe return.”

The Montclair Education Association is the inclusive union representing more than 1,000 Montclair Public School District employees, including teachers, paraprofessionals, nurses, secret ries, operational aides, certified support staff, custodians, and buildings and grounds staff.