Discussions on return to in-person learning continueDate: 3/16/2021 WESTERN MASS. – In the wake of the state’s recent mandate, one Western Massachusetts legislator has joined colleagues in filing a bill to postpone the return for full in-person learning in public schools.
State Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa, representing the First Hampshire District of Northampton, Westhampton and Southampton as well as Hampden County town of Montgomery, announced new legislation, HD4101, which she co-filed with 2nd Bristol District state Rep. Jim Hawkins. The bill calls for a delay in the return to full in-person learning until April 26 as well as organization of vaccinations for all school staff and volunteers.
Sabadosa indicated the bill was developed with assistance from school committees statewide in an effort to give those committees a seat at the table in the commonwealth’s reopening discussion.
“We hope that this legislation can be a doorway to discussion with the governor and the commissioner that includes the school committees that have become excluded from this process now that the board has granted the commissioner the power he now has,” she said.
Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Jeffrey Riley and Gov. Charlie Baker announced on Feb. 23 their intention to move districts to full in-person learning five days a week in elementary grades by April 5. On March 5, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education gave Riley the authority to no longer accept remote and hybrid instruction toward a district’s required learning time.
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) followed with additional guidance on March 9, which stated that in addition to grades K-5 returning to classrooms in full by April 5, middle school grades 6-8 would be expected to do the same by April 28. Information on high schools would be announced in April. DESE indicated it would provide “at least two weeks advance notice” but encouraged district to begin their planning now.
Sabadosa explained the intent of the first portion of the bill was to protect school populations from a potential spike in coronavirus cases following Easter and the scheduled April vacation that traditionally begins on Patriots Day, April 19.
“The week after every holiday we see spikes in cases. In my district, some schools have had to cancel in-person learning as a result,” she said. “If we’re going to do this with a problem week in the near future, it is not setting us up for success.”
Sabadosa added health trends are heading in a positive direction and by April 26, an even greater portion of the population should be vaccinated.
“It’s a question of safety,” she said.
The other portion of the bill, Sabadosa said, aimed to bring “equity” to the availability of vaccines for those working in the schools. Baker announced on March 3 that effective March 11, school staff became eligible to register for vaccination appointments. This group, according to the state, includes educators, paraprofessionals and education support professionals, childcare educators, family childcare assistants, childcare program directors, childcare center directors, district and school administrators, clerical and administrative staff, bus or van drivers, custodial staff, food service staff, after-school program staff, student teachers, interns, teaching assistants, and aides, and school safety officers.
The commonwealth’s website adds eligibility is extended to those in “full time, part time, or in-school volunteer roles, or who are employed by another organization to provide education or support in a school or childcare setting (e.g. early intervention providers, student mentors, tutors, arts programs, individuals responsible for educator observations or coaching, etc.).”
However, Sabadosa contended that many non-educators who work in schools were not listed among the eligible on the state’s registration web-based registration portal.
“We need to make sure everyone working in our schools has access to the vaccine and right now not everyone does,” she said.
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