Some teachers balk at returning to school buildings, cite safety concerns due to COVID-19

As some schools finalize back-to-school plans and others rethink theirs, upset teachers are speaking out, worried that safety measures in place are not enough.

APPROACHES, SOME SCHOOLSACROSS THE TRI-STATE AREFINALIZING BACK TO SCHOOLPLANS WHILE OTHERS ARESTARTING TO RETHINK THEIRS.AND NOW, UPSET TEACHERS ARESPEAKING OUT, WORRIED THESAFETY MEASURES IN PLACE ARENOT ENOUGH.

WCPO 9 NEWSREPORTER JOSH BAZAN EXPLAINSTHEIR CONCERNS.Stacy Recker/Social Studiesteacher at West Clermont HighSchool00:12:36"When I say ourstudents, we call them ourkids.

We want to be with ourkids."THE QUESTION IS NOTWHETHER TEACHERS WANT TO GETBACK INTO THE CLASSROOM.LonnieDusch/Science Teacher atPrinceton High School00:04:12"We want to be back.

But, wewant to be back safely withour students."BUT WHETHERSCHOOL DISTRICTS CAN MAKE SUREIT IS SAFE FOR PEOPLE TO GOBACK TO SCHOOL AT ALL.LonnieDusch/Science Teacher atPrinceton High School00:01:36"I do have a number ofconcerns in terms of whetherwe can do that safely.

Whetherwe can meet with the students,whether we can be togethersafely."Stacy Recker/SocialStudies teacher at WestClermont High School00:05:03"Right now in my classroom Ican maybe get a foot ofdistance between my students."WHEN CASES IN THIS CORNER OFOHIO STARTED TO CLIMB AGAINEARLIER THIS MONTH, THE OHIOEDUCATION ASSOCIATIONQUESTIONED THE WISDOM OF MANYDISTRICTS PLANNING TO RETURNFULLY TO IN-PERSON LESSONS.

ITSAYS ANY COUNTIES UNDER A REDOR PURPLE HEALTH ADVISORY FROMGOVERNOR DEWINE áNEEDá TO DOVIRTUAL LEARNING.LonnieDusch/Science Teacher atPrinceton High School00:10:13"And even, I think, theschools that are in Level 2need to strongly considergoing virtually if they can'tguarantee the safety of theirstudents, the staff and thefamilies that the students goback to."JOSH STANDUP"Teachersunion representatives I spoketo also want every district torequire masks and allow forsix feet of social distancingat all times.

They also areasking districts to havespecific plans fortransitioning to and fromremote learning and quarantineprocedures in the event of apositive case."StacyRecker/Social Studies teacherat West Clermont High School00:01:09"Our members deserveto not be anxious or fearfulabout contracting the virus atwhat potentially is asuper-spreader event at alarge high school or middleschool."A CINCINNATI PUBLICSCHOOLS BOARD MEMBER SAID THEYWOULD LIKELY TALK ABOUTREOPENING PLANS AT ANEXECUTIVE SESSION THURSDAY ANDTHE BOARD IS EXPECTED TODISCUSS THOSE PLANS AT APUBLIC MEETING MONDAY.

THECINCINNATI FEDERATION OFTEACHERS-NOT AFFILIATED WITHO-E-A-HAS TOLD W-C-P-O IT ALSOWANTS TO SEE THE YEAR STARTFULLY REMOTE IF THE SITUATIONDOESN'T IMPROVE.

JB WCPO 9NEWS.