Teachers Union, MCPS Push Back On Hogan's Push To Reopen Schools

ROCKVILLE, MD — Teachers union and school system leaders in Montgomery County are voicing opposition to Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan's push to reopen public schools.

During a press conference on Thursday, Hogan (R) said there was "no public health reason" for schools to be closed, adding that students were suffering a "terrible learning loss" by staying at home. He called on school systems across the state to adopt a hybrid learning approach by March 1.

The Montgomery County Education Association — which represents more than 14,000 teachers, counselors, and other non-supervisory certified educators — fears that March 1 may be too soon.

"We cannot in good conscience send folks back into school buildings without ensuring that all of the necessary safety protocols are in place, including adequate HVAC in buildings, PPE and social distancing requirements," said Chris Lloyd, the association's president. "As much as we are concerned about learning loss in the interim, we are more concerned about the loss of life."

Hogan shut down schools statewide in March in an attempt to curb the spread of COVID-19. Over the summer, the Maryland State Department of Education gave guidance for in-person instruction, but several school districts have not reopened.

MCPS — the largest school system in the state — still holds virtual classes. Last week, the county's Board of Education voted to postpone its reopening plan until March 15.

On Thursday, state leaders said there isn't evidence to suggest that classrooms are sites of "superspreaders," and called on school systems to shift to some sort of in-person learning.

"The toll of keeping students out of school far exceeds any potential risk of having students in school where they belong," Hogan said. "The time has come to get all of our kids back in the classroom, and to open the schools."

Although the state cannot force teachers to return, Hogan said he will do whatever he can to get children back in classrooms.

At Thursday's press conference, he pointed to other cities and states that have pressured school districts to reopen. Chicago, for instance, has withheld pay for teachers who refuse to return, while South Carolina has threatened to revoke teaching licenses.

"We do not want to have to take such actions here in Maryland," Hogan said. "But if school systems do not immediately begin a good-faith effort to return to the classroom, we will explore every legal avenue at our disposal."

In an effort to help bring students back to school, the state's education and health departments have published new guidance on reopening:

"Our guidance still emphasizes the need to implement all of the health and medical safety measures that we have already outlined in our guidance," Deputy Health Secretary Jinlene Chan said. "Distancing, masking, cleaning, and disinfection continues to be the cornerstone of making sure that our students and staff are safe in schools."

Following Thursday's announcement, MCPS released a statement that pushed back on the state's efforts to reopen schools by March 1.

"While we appreciate the commitment to provide additional resources to assist local districts with reopening efforts, we are deeply concerned by the abrupt change to the health metrics guidance set forth by the state given that we are in the height of the pandemic," the statement read.

The statement went on to ask students and their families to allow MCPS "time to thoughtfully assess these important developments and continue to prepare for a successful start to the second semester."

"We will continue to collaborate closely with our state and county health officials and leaders," MCPS wrote. "We know that they understand and share our sense of urgency in getting students back in buildings as soon as possible and as safely as possible. Our focus remains on the academic needs and the health and safety of our students and staff."

This article originally appeared on the Rockville Patch