Chicago Public Schools to cancel class if CTU votes for switch to remote learning

CHICAGO (WLS) — The Chicago Teachers Union is expected to hold a vote Tuesday night as some members want Chicago Public Schools to switch to remote learning because of a surge in COVID cases.

Meanwhile, CPS said it will cancel classes for Wednesday if the teachers vote to go remote.

CPS students just returned from winter break Monday. But union leaders say the classroom is not safe for teachers, or students.

“Unfortunately, our union is again being backed into a corner of being the leader in the city that the mayor refuses to be,” said CTU VP Stacy Davis Gates.

CPS CEO Martinez insists COVID risk in schools remains low

CPS teachers can only work remotely if they are sanctioned by the Board of Education. Union leaders said members who decide to work from home will likely have their pay docked.

CPS CEO Pedro Martinez said he is in communication with CTU and is trying to keep teachers in school. He said if the CTU votes to walkout, classes will be canceled but schools will remain open for students.

At a press conference Tuesday afternoon, CEO Martinez said he is frustrated by “misinformation” about how safe the schools are.

“The amount of noise that is out there right now, the amount of misinformation, we have so many people that are afraid from parents to my staff because of the misinformation and I again, I continue to plead, let’s listen to our medical professionals,” he said.

At the same press conference, Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady said the risk to children from COVID remains low and is similar to influenza. Dr. Arwady said the risk is even lower for vaccinated children.

Dr. Arwady and Martinez said every CPS school has COVID testing in place and they are working to expand capacity.

On Monday, Martinez, acknowledged the district’s efforts to screen students in some of the city’s most vulnerable communities before Monday’s return from winter break had been a failure, after most of the at-home test kits returned were invalidated having been received by the lab too late. Martinez, however, said his visits to various schools Monday reinforced his view that learning should remain in person, targeting only affected classrooms for remote learning when needed.

Should parents be concerned about school return during COVID surge?

“I want to give the flexibility to schools because I see such a variance with what’s happening with COVID,” Martinez said. I was at Park Manor, for example, where almost all the teachers are out. Very few of the teachers are there in person. Then I went to other schools where we have some staff that are out and most of the children are there.”

Mayor Lori Lightfoot said, “The best thing that we can do for our students, staff and all our partners at CPS is to get vaccinated. Keeping kids safely in school where they can learn and thrive is what we should all be focused on.”

Some parents expressed mixed emotions on the current situation.

“I feel safe regardless,” said CPS parent Shuddeen Harriott. “I think this is something that we’re obviously going to have to live with.”

“With the rise in cases, it’s like any day now that somebody is going to come in contact with COVID,” said CPS parent Chris Fulton Sr.