WTU, DC Public Schools Reach Agreement on MOA
For Immediate Release
December 17, 2020
Washington DC Teachers, DC Public Schools Reach Agreement to Reopen Schools
Memorandum outlines key conditions to promote a safe return to in-person learning
WASHINGTON – The Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU) is pleased to announce an agreement with DC Public Schools on a Memorandum of Agreement that lays out conditions needed to return to in-person learning.
“DC teachers miss our students and recognize that many have struggled to adapt to distance learning,” said WTU President Elizabeth Davis. “Reopening our schools won’t be a return to normal; we are committed to finding ways to best support our students who have struggled the most during the pandemic.”
The agreement is effective through the remainder of the 2020-2021 school year or through the end of the COVID-19 pandemic health emergency, whichever is sooner. It calls for increased transparency around facility walk-throughs, ensuring that Local School Advisory Teams (LSAT’s), bodies elected to represent school communities, and other members of local school communities are able to verify that facilities are ready to reopen.
“The safety of our students, school –based staff, and communities must remain our top priority,” Davis continued. “As we move forward, it is critical that our individual schools are open about the work that has been done to ensure proper air circulation and other protections are in place in every school building before it reopens to in-person learning. We must take every precaution and build trust that we’ve done all that is possible to safeguard our communities.”
The MOA also lays out conditions to staff a return to in-person instruction. Under the terms of the agreement, DPS will administer to members of the WTU will respond to a survey with the options: “1) I am interested in returning to teach in person” and “2) I am interested in continuing Distance Learning.” DCPS will provide the WTU with data about the demand for in-person seats and, if family demand exceeds availability of bargaining unit members, DCPS may assign bargaining unit members for in-person instruction, for Terms 3 and 4, excluding staff who have been approved for leave or a virtual workplace accommodation pursuant to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), the COVID-19 Emergency Support Act (CESA), the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the DC FMLA, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or any other applicable law shall not be required to teach in-person.
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The WTU represents more than 5,000 active and retired teachers. It is dedicated to social and educational justice for the students of the District of Columbia and to improving the quality of support, resources, compensation and working conditions for the public servants and proud teachers who educate our students in D.C. Public Schools.
Download the full statement here.
Council, Reopening Schools
COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE & COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
Return to In-person Instruction in DC Public Schools
Testimony of Elizabeth A. Davis, President
Washington Teachers’ Union
AFT Local 6
Good afternoon. I am Elizabeth Davis, President of the Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU). The WTU represents 5,000 active and retired teachers. We are dedicated to social and educational justice for the students of the District of Columbia and to improving the quality of support, resources, compensation and working conditions for the public servants and proud teachers who educate our students.
As I begin this afternoon, I’d be remiss if I didn’t take a moment to mention the opportunity gaps that continue to plague our schools. Many students in our city don’t have access to a librarian. Many students don’t have access to Algebra or Geometry. Many do not receive the same education in social studies or the Arts as their peers in other parts of the city. While the health pandemic has brought renewed attention to the Digital Divide, it has long been a daily obstacle for many of our students. Closing the opportunity gaps that plague our school systems and the resulting achievement gaps (see Appendix 1) must be our daily focus.
I am a teacher. I believe our students are only limited by the opportunities that we provide them. The past year has been difficult for us all. I am immensely proud of our teachers who have opened their homes to students and who have spent countless hours learning new technology and preparing to make their distance classes engaging for their students. Yet, we know that many teachers have struggled to adapt to distance learning. Many students have also struggled. We all yearn for a return to the classroom.
... Read President Davis' full statement here.
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FY2022 DCPS Budget Statement
DC Public Schools
Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) Budget Engagement
November 23, 2020
Good evening. I am Elizabeth Davis, President of the Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU). The WTU represents 5,000 active and retired teachers. We are dedicated to social and educational justice for the students of the District of Columbia and to improving the quality of support, resources, compensation and working conditions for the public servants and proud teachers who educate our students.
I am a teacher. I believe our students are only limited by the opportunities that we provide them. As we begin conversations about the upcoming budget, I’d be remiss if I didn’t take a moment to highlight the opportunity gaps that continue to plague our schools and many students. While the health pandemic has brought renewed attention to these gaps, we have long known that they have existed. It is time that we acknowledge the impact that these opportunity gaps – especially the digital divide – has on the achievement of our students. And, as we emerge from this crisis, it is critical that the FY2022 DCPS budget adequately reflects our reality and adequately invests in all our students (see Appendix 1).
The budgeting process is full of choices.
Read moreHeadlines - Mon, Nov 23
The Georgetown Voice - DC must do more to protect the most vulnerable from the effects of COVID-19
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WLXT - Schools are 'one of the safest places' for kids during pandemic, CDC director says
The Hill - Washington Teachers' Union declines DC public schools reopening proposal
WTOP - CARE classrooms: What does distance learning look like inside DC schools?
The Hill - Washington Teachers' Union declines DC public schools reopening proposal
DCist - Washington Teachers' Union Rejects School Reopening Agreement With DC Public Schools
WUSA9.com - Washington Teachers' Union will not sign agreement to reopen DC Public Schools
Washington Post - Once again, a deal between DC and the teachers union collapses
Washington City Paper - Mendelson Dismisses Silverman's Bill on School Reopening
Washington Times - Teachers unions leading fight against parents, students to keep schools closed
Statement: Washington DC Teachers’ Will Not Sign MOA with DCPS
For Immediate Release
Washington DC Teachers’ Will Not Sign Agreement to Reopen Schools to In-Person Learning
Cites rising COVID-19 Rates and Constantly Shifting DCPS Plans
WASHINGTON — The Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU) President Elizabeth Davis released the following statement regarding today after declining to sign a tentative Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with DC Public Schools.
“Over the past few weeks, we have worked diligently with our partners at DC Public Schools to create a framework that would allow our students to safely resume in-person learning in the coming weeks. However, given the lack of clear public health guidelines and the lack of engagement with administrators and teachers around reopening plans, the WTU has determined it is not in the best interest of our students, teachers, and all school-based employees to sign the MOA at this time.