HARTFORD, Conn. (AP/WCBS 880) — Some unionized Connecticut educators wore black Wednesday to draw attention to their demands for more masks and rapid test kits in schools, as well as flexibility in allowing for short-term remote learning to address any staffing issues.
Others wore red to show their support for safe in-person learning.
The demonstration was organized by a coalition of education labor groups, who asserted that a majority of their members were unable to access testing or masks before returning to school from the holiday break Jan. 3.
"We've wanted masks, we've wanted test kits, those were the promises and our schools didn't really open with those last week," said Kate Dias, head of the Connecticut Education Association. "We had cases where those were available, but it wasn't universal and that was really problematic for our staff."
The union admits long-term remote learning is not productive, but they are making the case for a short-term option to help alleviate staffing shortages.
"What we are asking for is not weeks or months of remote. There is no one who wants that," said Dias. "We recognize that that was not an ideal circumstance, but what we feel is that remote for a day or two to address staffing issues might relieve the burden that we are feeling in the schools and allow us to actually do a little more instruction, because what we are really doing is just pushing the people who are in the buildings really to their limits."
Gov. Ned Lamont issued an executive order Tuesday, making it easier for retired teachers to come back into the classroom to help deal with COVID-19 related staffing shortages.
Lamont is standing firm on the decision to keep children in the classroom. He said additional shipments of masks and test kits are on the way.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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