HAMMOND, Ind. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Teachers packed a school board meeting Tuesday night in Hammond, raising concerns about overcrowded classrooms and safety from both COVID-19 and violence.
The teachers said social distancing in overcrowded classrooms is impossible.
Teacher Rena Horgan is among them and said students are packed into overcrowded classrooms and teachers aren't being told by the administration about COVID cases in classrooms.
"I am here to tell you that your administration is not informing teachers of COVID cases within their rooms. We are learning this information from parents directly. Nursing staff have been instructed to specifically not tell teachers of COVID cases in their rooms. Contact tracing protocols are not being followed. Classrooms are filled to their max, and still administration is asking teachers to take in more kids," Horgan said.
"We are still in a pandemic, are we not? The only ones affected here are the teachers and the students. Yet they are the ones who are missing all the vital information needing to help them to stop the spread within the classroom and the building. Why?"
Jennifer Young is another teacher, who said students in her class are sitting only a foot apart.
"My eighth graders are sitting only about a foot apart from each other. Hammond is my school district and I care about my students very much," Young said fighting back tears. "I want nothing but the best for my students."
She added that teachers are leaving daily. There are about 50 vacancies.
Teachers also raised concerns about a lack of security in schools. This after two students were shot outside the high school.
The teachers want to see more security, metal detectors, and police officers.
