Florida's largest teachers union sues state over reopening schools

[Nevilledog]

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/florida-s-largest-teachers-union-files-suit-against-state-over-n1234382


The largest teachers union in Florida sued Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday over his administration's push to fully reopen all public schools next month — even as the number of coronavirus cases in the state is spiking.

The Florida Education Association accused DeSantis and other state officials of violating a state constitutional mandate to keep public schools "safe and secure." The union asked a state court in Miami to halt the governor's reopening edict, according to a copy of the suit obtained by NBC News.

The lawsuit, filed in state circuit court, names several defendants: DeSantis, state Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran, the state Education Department and the State Board of Education. The legal filing is sure to escalate a nationwide political debate over reopening schools amid the pandemic.

"Gov. DeSantis needs a reality check, and we are attempting to provide one," Florida Education Association President Fedrick Ingram said in a statement announcing the lawsuit. "The governor needs to accept the reality of the situation here in Florida, where the virus is surging out of control."

*snip*

[mcar]

1. Very glad they did this

Our county school board is having an emergency meeting on Thursday to discuss whether to put back school reopen date (currently at Aug 10) and making masks mandatory. At their meeting last week, they were frighteningly lax and unconcerned, more worried about lawsuits than requiring masks.

[malaise]

2. Watch this space

Teachers do not intend to sacrifice themselves for the Con and his goons

[JudyM]

3. Federal OSHA regs

contains a clause “ Each employer ...shall furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees”
29 USC 654

OSHA has determined that schools are “medium risk” with respect to COVID.

OSHA under trump isn’t about to enforce, but it’s interesting to see how easily the dotted line can be drawn to arguing that schools shouldn’t open at least in areas where there is a reasonable chance that a contagious kid can show up.

Pity we can’t have a national standard for school reopening that is designed to protect teachers and kids.