Update: NYS Supreme Court Judge Emilio Colaiacovo said Friday he will reserve a decision on the lawsuit. Below is our original story.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) - Attorneys representing teachers at Buffalo Public Schools are arguing in front of a New York State Supreme Court Judge in hopes of having teachers continue remote learning.
Despite in-classroom learning beginning again for some of the students, teachers argue there are not enough safety precautions taken by the district amid the coronavirus pandemic.
District officials argue on the contrary, saying they have taken all the precautions and consistently made available information to the teacher's union.
"Kids need to be back in school," Buffalo Schools General Counsel Nathaniel Kuzma said in opening remarks. "...To shutter our buildings would be irreparable harm to the students."
Highlights from Superintendent Kriner Cash and Dr. Dennis Kuo's testimony in court:
Students between Pre-K through second grade, high school seniors, and up to 100 special needs students were allowed to return to the classroom on Monday. There have been no reports of positive COVID-19 cases since classes began.
The teacher's union filed a lawsuit late-Friday to prevent the opening of schools this week. On Monday, Judge Emilio Colaiacovo denied the teacher's request to delay schools due, in part, to the timing of the lawsuit. A decision from the judge could come as early as Friday afternoon.
