Little Rock teachers union calls for phased approach to reopening schools

LITTLE ROCK (KATV) — The union that represents Little Rock School District employees on Monday called for a phased reopening of local schools, announcing its opposition to the state's plan to resume in-person instruction with supplemental online classes this fall.

The Little Rock Education Association said in a news release that its members "refuse to be complicit with the Governor and Education Secretary ... in putting our students and ourselves in danger" during the coronavirus pandemic. The release notes that Arkansas was classified as a "red zone" for the virus, a term used in a White House Coronavirus Task Force report to describe states that have seen a surge in cases and should increase protective measures.

"We, the educators, must ensure that our students and educators are not put into harmful situations which may compromise their health and well-being," the release says.

The union is calling for online-only instruction during the first phase of reopening. Students would be provided equipment to allow for remote learning. All meetings would be held virtually.

The second phase would begin when the total number of virus cases has declined for 14 days. Students would return to the classroom two days per week under rules that require social distancing and personal protective equipment, such as masks. Students would attend classes virtually the other three days of the school week. They would participate in classes at the same time as students on campus through online video.

The third and final phase would begin when the daily number of new virus cases in Pulaski County falls below 50 and Arkansas is no longer considered a "red zone." All students would return to campus. Social distancing and personal protective equipment would still be required. Students with compromised immune systems could still attend classes online, as could others at the request of their parents.

Arkansas has delayed the start of the public school year by two weeks. Classes are set to resume on Aug. 24. State officials have said they were confident many school districts would be ready to open Aug. 13 but many others requested more time.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson has said that schools will see positive virus cases in the fall and that they will "just have to deal with it."

The state has developed a three-tier response system for schools with virus cases. Under the system, a school's response depends on the spread of the virus in the community. In communities with "minimal spread," schools are told to reinforce hand hygiene, physical distancing and disinfecting. Schools in communities with "substantial spread," or a high rate of transmission, may move completely online.

The Arkansas Education Association said last week that the state is "in no way ready" to safely reopen schools.