A few hundred teachers and staff members working for Fairfax County Public Schools may be absent Wednesday.
Fairfax County’s largest teacher’s union, the Fairfax Education Association, has encouraged its members to take a mental health day on Wednesday to take time to think about whether they want to return to teaching in person.
“This is necessary to make an informed decision by weighing all their options and contacting any healthcare, financial, and retirement providers during normal business hours," FEA President Kimberly Adams said in a press release.
"This is not to be taken lightly and the mental health risk is high. Our union has already had to assist members with finding counseling and seeking medical attention due to the stress of this situation. We are drawing a line by protecting our members. We encourage all FCPS employees facing this decision to take the time needed,” Adams wrote.
It is not clear how many teachers are requesting a day off on Wednesday, but Adams said it could be "more than a few hundred."
FCPS spokesperson Lucy Caldwell told WTOP, “We are aware of the possibility of a sick out and making plans to ensure all scheduled classes have teachers. Currently, there are approximately 3.5 percent of FCPS students receiving in-person instruction supported by approximately 600 teachers.”
Decision Day Coming for Teachers and Staff
FCPS officials set a deadline of this Friday, Oct. 30, for teachers to decide between the following options, according to an internal FCPS email:
“If you choose not to return to work, please contact your principal or program manager on or before Oct. 30, 2020 and indicate your intent to:
● Take an unpaid Leave of Absence (LOA)
● Access leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) for childcare reasons and then return to support in-person instruction or take an unpaid Leave of Absence
● Resign or retire
If you do not contact your principal or program manager on or before October 30, 2020, we will schedule you to support in-person instruction.”
Some teachers are still going through the Americans with Disabilities Act accommodation process, which may make Friday's decision deadline difficult to meet.
Health Department Data Shows Cases Increasing
While many teachers are eager to see their students in person, many other teachers and staff are hesitant to return to the classroom and school buildings until they are confident it is safe to do so.
“We encourage all members and staff to take the mental health or personal day needed to consider how to respond to this forced choice ultimatum between health danger, a year without pay or healthcare, and prematurely ending their career,” Adams wrote.
As of Tuesday evening, the Virginia Dept. of Health School Metrics Dashboard indicates some hesitation in a full return to school. Many health officials are concerned about the “twin pandemics” as COVID-19 cases continue to increase nationwide as the country heads into flu season. (Red and orange colors indicate higher risk, while green indicates less risk.)
Virginia Dept. of Health, Oct. 27, 2020
Earlier this month, Virginia's 7-day moving average of new coronavirus cases jumped back up over 1,000 and has stayed there. Tuesday's 7-day moving average of COVID-19 cases was 1,094, creeping up toward meeting the coronavirus peaks in May and August.
In Virginia's Northern region, which includes Fairfax County, cases are down significantly from the peak in May, but the 7-day moving average of new cases in October is the highest it has been since May 31.
Virginia Dept. of Health, Oct. 27, 2020 - Northern Region
