— In Idaho, teachers in the West Ada School District canceled classes for all students after over 650 teachers planned a sick-out and the district could not find enough substitute teachers to cover. Teachers’ concerns focused on the safety protocols for the COVID-19 virus, including the inability to achieve proper physical distancing, large class sizes, and inadequate facilities. School districts with similar concerns include Baltimore, Maryland, Fulton County, Georgia, Houston, Texas, and Boston, Massachusetts.
— In Minnesota, the Minneapolis Public School District continues its efforts to revise its school safety program after abruptly canceling a contract with the city’s police department to provide officers in schools. School officials are looking to hire “public safety support specialists” instead of sworn officers. So far more than half of the 13 specialists hired have law enforcement backgrounds.
— In Florida, the Florida Court of Appeal has cancelled the temporary injunction of a lower court that would prevent in-person classes in state schools. The court held that the Florida Education Association did not have proper standing to request the injunction. The court also ruled that even with standing, the lower court exceeded the constitutional limits of its authority in its order. RON DESANTIS v. FLORIDA EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
— In California, the Yolo County Grand Jury released its findings after an investigation of school safety in the school districts in Yolo County. The Grand Jury found that all school districts in Yolo County are currently in compliance with the formal school safety plan. Elements of the plan include increased visitor signage, check-in procedures and collaboration with first responders to secure each school more efficiently in a crisis.