BALTIMORE — New in-person learning plans lack substance, transparency, and credibility. That's the message from the Baltimore City’s teachers union.
Wednesday, Baltimore City Public Schools announced educationally at-risk students would get to learn in-person if their parents were okay with it. These groups include special needs students, early learners, and English learners.
In a virtual meeting Thursday, Baltimore Teachers Union president Diamonté Brown said teachers weren't asked about the change. Brown says children's health and well-being should come first, and the learning loss of students does not outweigh death.
"We're not doing this because we're lazy and we don't want to go back, we're doing this because we're standing up for people's children.” Said Brown. We know the institution will do whatever they need to do to put these children back in school buildings if it serves their needs."
Brown says the district should not be using children's vulnerabilities to put them in a more vulnerable position. She's also asking union members who don't want to return to school buildings to apply for an accommodation or a leave request.
Baltimore will hold a virtual town hall Thursday night on the move. Officials will answer questions from parents and staff.
