Teachers face choice after Collier announces reopening plan to include in-person classes
Rachel Fradette
Collier teachers and employees are under pressure to decide whether they're comfortable returning to their classrooms amid a global pandemic.
As schools approach the Aug. 19 start date, employees are weighing their options as a national debate surrounding how to reopen schools plays out.
Teachers start as early as Aug. 5.
More:First day of school in Collier delayed one week, student start date now Aug. 19
Earlier this month, Florida's Department of Education issued an emergency order requiring physical school buildings to reopen for instruction this August.
More:Florida Education Commissioner mandates all schools to reopen in August
Florida's largest teachers' union has filed a lawsuit against the state calling for schools to remain virtual until the state's surge of coronavirus cases subsides.
Collier's school district released its reopening plan on July 15 including an option for students to attend brick and mortar schools.
Safety measures include mandatory masks for students and teachers, optional safety goggles and increased sanitation and other efforts, according to the plan.
"I know we haven't been able to think of every single possible scenario, but I just, I of course hope in the back of my mind that we are being flexible, especially with our teachers in their individual situation," school board Chairwoman Stephanie Lucarelli said at a work session this month.
School board member Jen Mitchell said at the work session that she was happy to see teachers' voices heard.
“I’m glad the community got to hear their side and how afraid they are and it's real. Because they're, they're going to come back and actually be on the front lines, so I'm glad that they express themselves,” she said. “Hopefully we can move forward and set the tone for the rest of the state, maybe even the country.”
At that school board work session about 70 public comments, made mostly by teachers in the district, advocated for maintaining virtual learning.
“Instruction needs to continue to take place off campus and online to start the school year,” Annette Hall wrote to the school board.
Hall's sentiments have not changed, but she's preparing to return despite her fears and better judgment, she said.
Hall, who teaches language arts at Lely High School, said she feels an obligation to return to her students.
"For me, going back means supporting the kids who maybe don't have a choice and have to be in school," Hall said.
Hall, like other teachers, still has concerns with the plan, specifically how lunchtime will be handled. She said she's not comfortable with the district's current plan of eating in the classroom.
Hall's main concern is Florida's current number of known coronavirus cases, which surpassed more than 400,000 Friday.
"I just don't think it's wise right now to return kids to the classroom," Hall said. "I think the majority of teachers, their concern is returning too soon."
Teachers and the Collier County Education Association, the teachers' union, have brought up starting school online as another option until the virus is under control.
"We're encouraging the district to delay reopening until the conditions are safe to do so," Jonathan Tuttle, executive director of the union, said.
Tuttle said he understands officials are following state orders but the community relies on local decisions.
In an email, district spokesman Chad Oliver wrote that the district is providing in-person options for children who face obstacles to virtual learning, like households without a caretaker to support learning throughout the day.
"The District has been in close communication with the Collier County Education Association, as we remain adaptive and responsive to the COVID-19 pandemic," Oliver wrote.
As another way to make their issues known, the union has organized two car parades ahead of the school board's meeting on July 28.
A plane pulled a banner Saturday above beaches in Naples that read, "School online until cases decline," as part of another effort to share the union's stance.
"Everybody wants to go back, but the stakes are too high," Tuttle said.
Teachers, parents and students lined up their cars donning decorated signs in the shadows of the Collier County school district offices Monday.
About 180 cars drove past the district offices with signs on display and horns blasting.
"My students need me alive," one sign read.
Teachers sounded off on everything from health concerns to student safety. Another parade is planned Tuesday to highlight issues with reopening.
For Dodie Pajer, the decision to reopen school buildings this fall made her own choice easier.
Pajer, who taught technology in related arts at Vineyards Elementary for 10 years, is retiring from the district, she said.
The COVID-19 pandemic was the deciding factor, among others including a business venture, that led to her choice, she said.
Pajer said she watched the school board's work session about the school reopening plan and decided it was time to retire.
"I was like, you know, I don’t think I want to continue on," Pajer said.
Logistically, Pajer said she was worried about the number of students she would be exposed to because of related arts program schedules.
Last year, Pajer would see about 700 students each week, she said.
She said it's not lost on her that her retirement age and plan allows her to take an option that most of her colleagues can't take.
"I feel for them," Pajer said.
The district launched a non-binding survey asking employees whether they would return for the school year or not as a gauge for staffing positions and planning purposes.
Lorri Mujica looked at the survey and didn't know which option would work for her family.
"They only gave us two options, yes or no," Mujica said. "An in between, like, 'I'm going to think about it,' would have been good."
Mujica and her husband, who are both teachers in the district, have yet to decide what option they will pick for their children but returning to brick and mortar schools is unlikely.
"We're trying to do what's best," Mujica said. "We're still figuring it out."
And the choices are weighing on her family, Mujica said. She's nervous about what can't be guaranteed this school year, like students keeping masks on consistently.
As her timeline gets stricter, Mujica said she's not sure how she will make any deadline.
"It's a really difficult choice," Mujica said. "It's either put yourself in the classroom or go hungry."
Rachel Fradette is an education reporter for the Naples Daily News. Follow her on Twitter: @Rachel_Fradette, email her at rfradette@gannett.com.
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