The president of the Massachusetts Teachers Association is sharply criticizing the state’s planning for reopening schools during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As public school districts around the commonwealth submit reopening plans for the fall, MTA president Merrie Najimy says state guidance has been lacking – and that Governor Charlie Baker’s plan to carry out testing only in districts with signs of the pandemic “recklessly creates false confidence.”
“There has been no directive from the governor to have the buildings inspected and upgraded," said Najimy. "His testing is reactive, not proactive, and it was only targets places where there’s concern. Personal protective equipment still is not being provided by the state at the levels that are necessary.”
Najimy also says reliable data on transmission rates have also not been provided to schools.
Massachusetts has pushed back the beginning of the fall semester to September 16th.
