State plans major expansion of school-based testing
Posted: August 27, 2021
Since the Hawaii State Teachers Association published this open letter last week, the Hawaii Department of Education (HIDOE) continues to claim that schools are “open and safe for learning” as published in a letter to parents and guardians Thursday. Then Friday morning, interim Superintendent Keith Hayashi appeared on Hawaii News Now Sunrise to say that schools need to remain open and that data tell them that there is no spread of COVID-19 in our schools.
During last Thursday’s Board of Education meeting, BOE member Bruce Voss asked Hayashi what the HIDOE was doing to gather workplace safety concerns or issues and if the HIDOE was open to adjusting procedures based upon that feedback. Hayashi responded that complex area superintendents have been very active in touching base with school principals and that if there are situations, those would have to be brought to the attention of the HIDOE through the proper channels of the principal or the complex area superintendent. This response shows that there is no desire for teacher voice or teacher concern when it comes to school safety. In response, Voss said he appreciated the response and found “dueling press conferences” to be unproductive and cause confusion among the public because they don’t provide clear and consistent communication among all stakeholders. We will not be silenced.
On Friday, HSTA President Osa Tui, Jr. participated in a Facebook Live discussion with the Keiki Caucus, a coalition of Hawaii state legislators, their staff, community leaders and youth-centered organizations. He helped to reiterate your concerns to lawmakers and others along with Deborah Bond-Upson of Parents for Public Schools Hawaii, who discussed a survey of parents that found concern about inconsistent safety protocols, quarantines and distance learning options, among other things.
The system is beginning to buckle under the strain of increased school personnel on quarantine and continued days of record COVID-19 counts. State office workers have already been asked to assist with schools in the Nanakuli-Waianae complex due to staffing shortages. At least one school is reportedly considering announcing closure on Monday due to the testing mandate spelled out in Gov. David Ige’s emergency proclamation. With 1,035 new cases reported Friday statewide, it’s time for all of us to say, “Enough is enough!”
Last week, we asked for submissions for slogans to be used for schools or HSTA chapters to hold informational pickets. The winner is Joanna Hirota of Ka Waihona O Ka Na’auao PCS with the slogan “Safe Schools Safe Communities.” HSTA will print signs and distribute them in the coming weeks for members to use before or after school off of school property to let the public know that we continue to seek the safety our students deserve.
HIDOE emailed all employees Friday regarding the deadline to upload either proof of vaccination or proof of a negative COVID-19 test before the start of the workday on Monday, Aug. 30. HSTA believes unvaccinated people required to test should be able to do so through a process that has been negotiated and not unilaterally implemented. Because the governor has suspended portions of Chapter 89 (Hawaii’s collective bargaining law) in his emergency proclamation, to date the HIDOE has refused to negotiate the implementation of the testing mandate.
Members who have out-of-pocket costs or other impacts related to the testing mandate (e.g., required to pay for a test or required to seek testing outside of paid work time) should review our FAQs for guidance on steps they can take if they want to pursue an individual grievance on the matter.
In addition, HSTA is preparing to file a class grievance regarding the failure of the HIDOE to negotiate the impacts of the HIDOE testing mandate. If you feel your situation might be applicable to such a grievance, please fill out the form below. You will be contacted by a staff member for more information. Be advised that not all situations may qualify for a class grievance on this matter.
HIDOE has told the HSTA that the state will expand a COVID-19 free testing program and more than 100 public schools across Hawaii have requested on-site testing. Further details, including when the testing program will begin, exactly how it will work and what schools will participate will be announced soon.
Superintendent Hayashi also announced this morning on HNN that he is meeting informally with all unions today and next week. While the HIDOE has not responded formally to our demand for impact bargaining, your Negotiations Committee and Negotiations Team will be meeting to finalize concerns that need to be raised when HSTA has their informal meeting next week.
HSTA continues to address your concerns with HIDOE. More and more, we are concerned about distance learning options and what members are being forced to do when students and faculty are put on quarantine. Please refer to this week’s Question of the Week in our Member Matters email newsletter: What have you been directed to do in terms of distance learning for this school year?