Teachers Union Lawsuit and Petition, Regional Statement on School Reopening

The dangerous unfunded mandate to reopen schools from the likes of President Trump, Betsy DeVos, and the State of Florida sends a clear message about priorities, and those priorities are not education or people's lives. Public education has continued to be defunded while it serves to fill many gaps in our society. It is the closest example we have to universal childcare, and it provides much more. Instead of demanding more from each other, let's start demanding more from the government, companies, and corporations. State and Regional Teachers Unions are taking action:

The Florida Education Association has filed a lawsuit against the State of Florida to protect the health and well-being of students, educators, and communities. From FEA President Fedrick Ingram: “Gov. DeSantis needs a reality check, and we are attempting to provide one. The governor needs to accept the reality of the situation here in Florida, where the virus is surging out of control. He needs to accept the evolving science. It now appears that kids 10 and older may pass along the coronavirus as easily as adults. Everyone wants schools to reopen, but we don't want to begin in-person teaching, face an explosion of cases and sickness, then be forced to return to distance learning. Florida's Constitution demands that public schools be safe. Teachers and parents want our schools to meet that basic standard.” See a video of the FEA press conference announcing the lawsuit here.
Sign the petition from the Florida Education Association to demand that DeSantis take action to reduce the spread of COVID-19 for a safe school reopening.
Read this statement from Central Florida’s Educational Union Leadership including Carmen Ward, Alachua County Education Association President.