“It seems that the fundamental essence of local control to allow communities to do what’s in the best interest of their citizens only applies if local leadership falls in line with Governor DeSantis and Commissioner Corcoran’s personal political agendas. We are the fourth largest school district in the country with an on-boarding of almost 400,000 students and teachers in the epicenter of the virus in Florida. Those parameters require a much more thoughtful approach which is why the school board voted to push back the reopening and implement a staggered start. We cannot risk suffering the consequences of a rushed return to class when we know our school buildings are not yet ready. Our decision to push back our date is not only based on science and the data available; it is supported by hundreds upon hundreds of educators and parents who wished to see a reopening that would not regress our community back to Phase 1 status. Failure to do this will not only lead to another lockdown, it will also impact our ability to vote. The negligence is unfathomable and our community needs to stand up and realize there’s more at play here than what meets the eye. Trump’s rush to reopen schools and threats to defund our children are 100% political games. We are simply demanding safety, in order to preserve public health and not lose more lives.”
UTD President Karla Hernandez-Mats
