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Thursday, August 6, 2020

Secrecy and subterfuge is the future of DCPS

I am both outraged and terrified at the districts plan to keep cases of COVID-19 secret in our schools, unless the schools are forced to close. Spoiler alert if people know there is a case, we may never get to the point where a school has to close. This planned secrecy is going to risk lives.

I have heard stories of cases at two local high schools, cases that were kept secret from the majority fo staff, and even from people who might have been exposed. Superintendent Greene has said if it was up to her despite the risks she would open schools, so I have to question the lengths she would go to keep them open. 

Sadly our district may not be the only one that plans to keep people in the dark.

From the Tampa Times, 

  Teachers at Pierce Middle School learned this week that a coworker tested positive for COVID-19 after coming on campus Friday to prepare for the upcoming school year. 

They did not hear that news from the Hillsborough County school district, nor from principal Pablo Gallego. It came in an email Tuesday from social studies teacher Aron Zions. 

“I believe Mr. Gallego followed the proper protocols,” Zions wrote, noting that Gallego informed his superiors. “But after that the system failed. We, the staff, should have been notified. The impacted areas should have been cleaned. ... We are supposed to have open communication and err on the side of safety.”

https://www.tampabay.com/news/gradebook/2020/08/05/a-hillsborough-teacher-got-covid-19-the-principal-kept-it-quiet/?fbclid=IwAR1E-

Ugh, terrifying and dangerous.

Staff and families have a right to know if there are cases at their schools. If they are being required to risk their lives, they should have all the available information. People don't need to know who got sick, I am all for them keeping their privacy, but nothing should trump people's right to know. 

Greene has already made the terrible decision to send us back, she should not compound it by keeping people in the dark.


1 comment:

  1. Is DCPS now offering an increased death benefit? Is it just a flat fee or does it depend on whether you want cremation or burial? Asking for a friend.

    ReplyDelete