Teachers union in nation's second-largest school district wants schools to remain closed

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

A union representing teachers in Los Angeles, the second-largest school district in the country, says schools should remain closed.

United Teachers Los Angeles, which represents teachers in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), announced its stance Thursday, recommending that the district keep campuses closed during rising coronavirus infections and deaths.

"It is time to take a stand against Trump's dangerous, anti-science agenda that puts the lives of our members, our students, and our families at risk," said UTLA President Cecily Myart-Cruz in a statement. "We all want to physically open schools and be back with our students, but lives hang in the balance. Safety has to be the priority. We need to get this right for our communities."

As of now, the semester is set to begin on August 18, but the UTLA is asking that the district instead focus on "distance learning practices" for the fall.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/teachers-union-in-nation-s-second-largest-school-district-wants-schools-to-remain-closed/ar-BB16B2Vp?li=BBnbcA1&ocid=DELLDHP

[BigmanPigman]

1. LA county has an enormous number of new cases daily now,

the teachers' union is strong in LA and they have a lot of clout. No one is going to push them into starting school when it isn't safe for thousands of teachers and staff. They can't afford to lose a lot of experienced teachers who will quit or not go until it is safe. There aren't enough "extra" teachers as it is, especially if they are going to have to hire more to cover split shifts, etc when they do reopen. Financially, it would be a disaster for the schools district.

[babylonsister]

2. Great! May every damned school district follow suit. nt

[frazzled]

3. Local districts determine whether their schools open or not

Trump doesn’t control it. As for his threat to withhold funds from districts that remain closed, let him. It’s only 8% of the funds, which are for the most part from state and local sources, and it would probably not pass muster in the courts anyway.

[ibegurpard]

4. Nothing surprises me anymore

But this should be a fucking no-brainer.

[emmaverybo]

5. Just read about two parents dying of Covid they contracted from their child. So much trauma

for the child in that. Too much.

[MichMan]

6. I think the only alternative right now is to order all schools closed completely until next fall

Hold everyone back an entire year.

Online classes are not accessible by everyone or in all districts.

Even if they have them, most students can only participate a couple hours a day. It doesn't come close to imparting the same amount of education as a full school day.

Students, parents, and teachers are just going to need to accept this

[Luz]

8. Yes. Maybe within a year we can come up with a workable

plan that ensures safty for all. We have got to overhaul our educational system and two to three weeks isn't enough time to do anything that will make any difference.

The old way worked till it didn't. We need to look forward at a new normal, a new way of teaching and quit trying to go backwards.

[AwakeAtLast]

9. I understand your reasoning

But does that mean I lose a years worth of salary?

A years worth of unemployment?

[Baclava]

7. I expect this will be the stance by teachers unions all over the country as opening day gets closer