ANNAPOLIS, Md. – We are pleased that the State finally heeded our call for statewide guidance on reopening metrics that are informed by medical facts and public health science. However, the remarks at the Governor’s press conference yesterday were very surprising and implied that superintendents and local school boards have been unable and unwilling to return our students to school. That is an inaccurate characterization, and certainly not in the spirit of partnership we have extended to both departments.
We have been asking for State guidance with health metrics for bringing students back to school as well as consistent guidance in contact tracing protocol across the state since June. Several other states had developed such guidance, and we knew it could provide a foundation for decision-making in Maryland. Unfortunately, without this guidance, each system has been working on local plans with their health departments. In this light, to state that the recovery plans are inefficient without having these metrics from the beginning stages of planning, and without a rubric of assessment before submitting the plans is confounding. Our plans were developed by an inclusive group of all stakeholders and this planning started in May.
Local superintendents and members of local boards of education created plans that would provide a strong education foundation in a world of unknowns, but also assuring stakeholders and their families of our concerns for their safety. We agree that teachers are essential employees as an education is vital to the success of our students and their future. As we have opened our school doors to staff this month and as many of us are preparing to welcome students in the coming month, it is imperative to have the support of all constituencies. This transition must take place slowly, steadily, and safely while based on health metrics. We are concerned about the timing of this guidance so late in the planning stages; however, we all are willing to revisit the metrics presented moving forward to provide a high-quality education for our students.
Again, we are pleased to finally have guidance from the State, but don’t tell us we failed before even giving us the test. To say this is a little too late as schools are opening in days, is an understatement. However, we will continue to forge ahead with our local boards of education and health departments on implementing these guidelines and metrics and providing our students with the highest level of public education in this unprecedented worldwide crisis.