Board let teachers down

Despite all the other school districts in the area who prefer to err on the side of caution in view of the rising surge in COVID-19 cases that medical experts are reporting, the Arlington Heights District 25 board in its wisdom, voted no, by a vote of 4-3, on Friday Dec. 4, to Superintendent Dr. Lori Bein's proposal to go fully remote.

Several board members addressed the fact that while other areas in the county show a rise in "numbers," in our "ZIP code" some of the COVID metrics are no worse than when they last had a board meeting.

To counter the surge of absenteeism of teachers and staff who stay home for medical or child-care reasons, the board encouraged Dr. Bein to continue to pull staff from music, art, nurses etc. to fill in the classrooms while the teacher(s) are absent. Presently, there is a 45% fill rate. One of the more creative board members suggested the district should look to college students, who are home on break, to help fill teacher vacancies.

After the vote was taken, our board stressed to Dr. Bein how much they "appreciated" all that our teachers and staff do and that if they need a desk or anything, to just ask for it.

Our District 25 teachers are stressed out, anxiety ridden and fearful for their health and safety of their students and families. What the teachers need is a pause for a few weeks to get their bearings on this dreaded pandemic. Unlike other schools boards in the area, this board let them down.

Tom Wuich

Arlington Heights