A union representing teachers in New Haven, Connecticut, said they were surprised to learn Tuesday that the school board voted to offer in-class instruction to some students starting next week.
David Cicarella is the president of New Haven Federation of Teachers. He agrees special needs students require in-person instruction.
Cicarella said the board’s decision to bring 125 students back to school without sharing the safety plan with the union was an unfortunate misstep.
“Covid has simply ramped everything up and made everything that much more difficult for all of us. Everyone is exceptionally nervous and a little bit on edge to make certain that everything is safe, or as safe as we can make it,” Cicarella said.
Cicarella said New Haven superintendent assured him the 11 schools that will reopen would have new air filtration systems tested. That’s before select special education classrooms reopen to students on Monday.