Lexington Education Assoc. Point Out Issues With Reopening Plan

LEXINGTON, MA — The Lexington Education Association highlighted issues in the Lexington Public Schools reopening plan.

In a statement, the union points out "many unresolved issues of safety and equity," in the district's reopening plan, including the lack of testing protocols and staff being denied requests to remain remote, even after submitting health documentation.

The Lexington Education Association is an affiliate of the Massachusetts Teachers Association and represents over 1200 professionals of the Lexington Public Schools

Lexington Public Schools have over 8,000 students and staff and the union claims there is still no testing protocol in place for reopening.

"On August 25, the Lexington School Committee voted unanimously on a resolution demanding the state make progress on providing rapid and frequent testing for public school students and staff. In the intervening time, no general testing for public schools has been announced by the state," the statement reads.

Another highlighted point was the districts accommodation or lack of, for staff with medical conditions.

" Over 90 percent of staff who applied for a remote placement were initially denied. Many staff were issued a letter of denial without a reason for the denial and a chance to state their case, despite having medical documentation to back up their claim. As of Sept. 8, many staff had not received their appeal decision, despite having submitted documentation to HR by July 22. This may lead to the loss of talented and dedicated staff," the statement reads.