On January 11, 2021, Montgomery Public Schools returned to allowing opt-in in-person instruction for students. However, in the 2 weeks since returning, several schools have had to close to quarantine, and at least 4 staff members have died (causes of death have not been confirmed for all of them). Keeping schools open at this time is putting the entire Montgomery community in danger, but Superintendent Dr. Ann Moore has not announced any change in plan to account for these outbreaks. 

It's time for the community to come together and demand MPS return to virtual and stay that way until case numbers have dropped to safer levels. 

But in order to do that, we need our elected officials and government actors to step up and take action. The current lack of plan and insistence on in-person instruction has kept teachers, staff, parents, and students in limbo as schools return only to close days later like Carver High. Meanwhile, teachers continue to get sick, hospitalized, and die from COVID-19 and related complications. 

We call on state leaders like Governor Kay Ivey and State Superintendent Eric MacKay to close schools statewide. Montgomery isn't the only district having problems with COVID-19 outbreaks, and districts like Montgomery struggle with closing when they are being directed by higher up to stay open. 

We call on Superintendent Dr. Ann Moore to immediately close all schools in Montgomery indefinitely, until such a time as it is safe to reopen according to strict public health guidelines. It is impossible to “safely” open schools during a raging pandemic. The loss of life and the permanent physical and emotional damage to children who spread the disease to teachers, parents and grandparents dwarfs any disruption caused by online learning. While the Governor and State officials are influential, they do not dictate what MPS does. The Superintendent for Birmingham City Schools recently announced they would stay entirely virtual through the end of February, while other districts have stayed virtual the entire school year.

We call for teachers to also be allowed basic work accommodations. Those with underlying health conditions or who are caring for vulnerable individuals at home should be allowed to work from home. Meanwhile, teachers who must quarantine due to exposure should not be required to use personal leave to do so. The lack of accommodations exacerbate the conditions within the schools and discourages teachers and students from reporting important COVID-19 information. 

If we work together, we can slow this horrible virus. Montgomery teachers, families, and the broader community is at stake.