As the calendar moves closer to the scheduled opening of the next school year, school communities are increasingly fearful of becoming pandemic epicenters. Students, teachers, support professionals, and families deserve safe schools, but that is simply impossible in the current climate. Reopening the school buildings too early will lead to tragedy in school communities across the state, unraveling the work we have all undertaken to manage the spread of the pandemic.

Many of the social distancing and health recommendations we know to be necessary are either impractical or impossible in public school environments. We urge you not to reopen our school buildings until ALL of the following questions can be answered satisfactorily:

-Given that indoor dining in restaurants is unsafe, how can we serve food to hundreds of students in a crowded cafeteria which may not have air conditioning or proper ventilation?

-Many school employees will not return to school because of childcare concerns, pre-existing health conditions, or fear of entering crowded public buildings during a pandemic. Furthermore, we expect many more school employees will need to quarantine for 14 days at various points throughout the year. Schools already have a shortage of substitutes, and we cannot combine classes because of social distancing requirements. What do we do when we become understaffed?

-How will we socially distance in the hallways, especially during high traffic times such as period changes?

-Many districts are not requiring students to wear masks. How can staff and other students be protected if some students are not masked?

-How will school supplies be provided and disinfected for each classroom and subject area-- pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, including special area subjects-- since students can no longer share materials safely?

-How can we ensure all air conditioners and HVAC systems have appropriate screens in order to circulate filtered, clean air? What will we do about buildings and classrooms without any air conditioning or proper ventilation at all?

-When students engage in severe behaviors that are hazardous to themselves or others, as can be common in autism and other special education classrooms, how can these behaviors be deescalated while observing social distancing?

-How will each district prepare to manage the grief and trauma from the increased likelihood of deaths in their school community?

These questions have no easy solution, yet they will impact the day-to-day reality of every individual in public schools. For the sake of our children, our educators, our families, and ourselves, we implore you not to reopen school buildings until all of these uncertainties can be fully addressed.