The Faison Center is a non-profit school for individuals with autism and other special needs not served by public schools. We are writing this as Second Staff, a group of current and former employees along with concerned members of the public who are dedicated to building a better school environment for workers and students. Second Staff has been operating since before the COVID-19 pandemic. We are asking members of the public to join us in solidarity in demanding The Faison Center not reopen on August 3.

The Faison Center's response to the COVID-19 pandemic has been an erratic failure. We were told we were reopening on August 3 and to be prepared for some of us to get sick. This disregards the clients we serve; getting sick can lead to hospitalization and death.

Our population and the methods we employ to teach do not permit social distancing in most instances. In addition, we deal with a highly sensitive population, most of whom will not be comfortable with wearing masks throughout the day. When a student is in crisis, often multiple staff are in direct contact with the student. For all of these reasons Faison's plans to reopen are a dangerous and unnecessary risk. We demand The Faison Center return staff and clients only when it's safe.

We stand in solidarity with Virginia Educators United and National Educators United. #RefuseToReturn #OnlyWhenItsSafe #Red4Ed #SchoolsOurStudentsDeserve