First, I am concerned about the health and safety of our students and school personnel. I am deeply concerned about the school board's current recommendation of getting as many students as possible into the school buildings. I understand the argument that students will learn best in-person, but the exponential growth of the Corona Virus is evidence that our community is not in a position to return students and staff to school buildings. Even if masks are required (which, according to the latest documentation, will be advised but not required), staff and students will be at great risk for illness. We need to make the wise decision to start this year in an online format, allowing teachers, students, and parents time to plan for childcare and work needs, rather than continuing to wait and see what the next few days or weeks will bring. Shift the district's focus from building plexiglass shields to ensuring that all K-12 students have access to an internet connection, paying to train teachers to implement meaningful lesson plans virtually, assigning support staff and administrators to conduct wellness checks for our at-risk students, and making sure that all students have access to hot meals.

 

Second, I grow increasingly concerned about the meager pay our teachers and staff earn at Charleston County School district. I have observed (as a parent and as a teacher) students who have the benefit and joy of having exceptional teachers who pour heart and soul into the students' education and emotional growth. This low pay will continue to drive excellent teachers into other professions, leaving our children with under-par educators. I understand from the second reading of the CCSD FY2021 budget that teacher salaries will remain at the FY2020 rate. I observed many teachers (my son's teachers as well as friends of mine) spend countless hours providing resources to students during the unprecedented shutdown. I spend hours of my own (unpaid) time during the summer attending training and seminars to improve my craft. My coworkers do the same. All of this is obviously from a place of passion. We need to encourage teachers to stay in our profession! My son works for a grocery store and has received hazard pay (an hourly bonus) as well as hero bonuses (periodic checks) to thank him for his work and dedication during this crisis. What are we doing for our teachers and staff at our schools to encourage and thank them for their hard work during this difficult time?

 

The COVID crisis has shown all of us that public school is an integral part of the fabric of our society. The economic structure of our society will likely collapse without a reliable public school system providing quality education for all children. I am aware that having schools reopen is ideal for our economy, and is ideal for the social and emotional well-being of students. However, I fear for the health of school staff, our students, and all of the affected families. You must consider the physical and emotional well-being of the adults who keep our public education system functioning. Teachers are pushed to their limits. Forcing teachers, administrators, support staff, and students back into unhealthy and unsafe environments and not increasing pay to an acceptable wage will cause our education system into an even worse crisis than the one we face right now.