Teachers, parents ask to move schools to distance learning during RIDE meeting
Some parents and teachers are asking the state to move all schools to distance learning because the Covid-19 infection rate is so high in the state.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) – Some parents and teachers are asking the state to move all schools to distance learning because the Covid-19 infection rate is so high in the state.
Parents and teachers called in during a Council on Elementary and Secondary Education meeting on charter schools to ask that the state shift to distance learning for two weeks before and after winter break.
State officials and medical experts continue to insist that community spread is low with in-person learning.
A spokesperson for RIDE said in part: “There is a 1.3% chance of a close contact from in-person instruction subsequently contracting COVID-19, 5 times lower than the broader state average and demonstrating the effectiveness of public health controls in place in our classrooms.”
But this perspective is not sitting well with many of the teachers and parents from Providence and Central Falls where cases are highest.
“The commissioner and governor can say schools reopening hasn’t impacted community spread until they are blue in the face,” said Organizer of Safe Return to Schools RI Stephanie Meuse. “At this point, any fourth grader in the state can read the bar graph that shows a steady, sharp increase in cases exactly two weeks after we reopened schools.”
Meuse is one of many who spoke at Tuesday’s Board of Education Meeting. The Department of Education reversed their original decision and allowed people to call in during public comment on non-agenda items.
“Take action, change the school calendar, and immediately send us to break in order to reduce hospital rates and reduce infection rates,” said Providence Teacher Maya Chavez.
Other teachers spoke of concerns for their own health, and the health of their loved ones which they feel have gone unheard so far. One teacher specifically took aim at Commissioner Angelica Infante-Green.
“When I admitted that I was afraid of my medically fragile dad dying as a result of me transmitting the virus, she responded by saying, ‘So what do you want me to do?’ Commissioner, here is what I would like you to do: pause in person learning. Fix our buildings.”
Infante-Green shook her head in disagreement at the accusation.
The meeting itself, which was focused on expanding charter schools in the state, had many asking during public comment why the expansion was being discussed at all with state and municipal budgets so uncertain due to the pandemic.
“How dare you convene this meeting as if it’s business as usual,” said Bruce Boucek of Providence. “We are in the middle of a pandemic and you are discussing charter schools!”
Another concern in the schools is lack of staffing due to teachers having to quarantine. A board member did ask the commissioner about the impact this is having on learning. The commissioner simply said they are working on that data.
As for whether the state will be moving districts to distance learning through mid January as many asked Tuesday night, a spokesperson for RIDE said there have been no discussions on it thus far.
