— In Illinois, an arbitrator ruled that teachers and staff for the Chicago Public Schools could work from home during the COVID-19 pandemic. The arbitrator ruled that requiring school clerks and other employees report to campuses would increase the risk of contracting COVID-19, and that the increased risk of infection violated the school district’s contract to provide “safe and healthful” working conditions. Arbitrator’s Ruling Here
— In Texas, the Corpus Christi American Federation of Teachers Union is protesting on behalf of teachers and staff against unsafe COVID-19 safety practices in area schools. The union is challenging the unfair treatment towards teachers during the pandemic and the arbitrary shifts in social distancing standards. The school district has revised and reduced social distancing standards to four feet, which is below the six foot mandate issued by the Centers of Disease Control.
— In Arizona, teachers throughout the state are resigning or retiring over the coronavirus COVID-19 concerns. The educators do not believe that the safety protocols in place in the schools are enough to provide a safe learning environment. Since the start of the school year, more than 750 teachers have departed. Forty-percent of those teachers surveyed say COVID-19 is the reason they chose to resign or retire.
— In Wisconsin, the City of Milwaukee Health Department has approved the COVID-19 plans of 48 schools that intend to reopen to students. Schools with approved safety plans will be allowed to engage in in-person instruction as long as the plan is followed. The Safety Assessment Checklist available online here.