THE VOTE IS IN: The Chicago Teachers Union voted tonight in favor of going to remote learning for Chicago Public Schools classes amid a COVID-19 surge.
CPS Chief Executive Officer Pedro Martinez said if the CTU voted for remote learning and not to return to classrooms, there would be no classes Wednesday.
“To the parents and guardians of this city, we want you to know that when you put your children in our care we put their well-being and safety first. We fight for your children like they are our own, because they are. As this pandemic continues, we will do everything in our power to ensure that our classrooms are the safest and healthiest places for your children to learn, thrive and grow.
“A vote to stop reporting to work would cause profound harm to children’s learning and health and be another damaging blow to the well being of our students and their families,” CPS added in a statement. But Martinez also said he is frustrated with the amount of “misinformation” that is being spread as to the safety of school buildings.
Martinez also emphasized that the Chicago Board of Education cannot authorize remote days on a citywide basis – the decision has to come from state or local public health officials on an emergency basis. If classes go remote without such a decision, remote days or days on which classes are canceled do not count toward state academic attainment rules, Martinez said.