Fresno Unified School District and the Fresno Teachers Association have collaborated to implement measures meant to combat the current surge of COVID-19 cases. The Omicron variant has disrupted school districts across the country and these measures address staffing shortages, temporary time adjustments, and additional safety measures. Together, these measures work to keep our schools open safely for students and staff.
The following measures are being implemented through collaboration between the district and the Fresno Teachers Association as we continue to combat this surge:
- Classroom Coverage
- We acknowledge that this academic year has been one of the hardest yet, and our teachers have been leaning in all year long to ensure classrooms are covered.
- To that end, as Teachers accept requests to substitute and/or receive deployed students into their classrooms, they will receive an additional hour of per diem pay for each request accepted. Teachers will receive this compensation retroactively to the beginning of the school year, August 12th, 2021 to account for the work they have been doing throughout the school year.
- Temporary Professional Learning and Time Flexibility
- Until the daily new case rate is under two per 100,000 and the positivity rate is less than 2%, all professional learning and professional learning community meetings are optional for teachers to attend.
- Until the daily new case rate is under 5.9 per 100,000 and the positivity rate is less than 4.9% for three consecutive weeks, classroom teachers have the option to leave campus after instruction has finished and all professional duties have been fulfilled.
- Site administration “nuts and bolts” staff meetings are limited to up to four meetings for the remainder of the school year.
- Increased Safety Measures
- The district is working to provide a HEPA air filter purifier in each classroom.
- KN-95 masks are being made available to staff as supply allows.
The district will also continue to communicate with all staff regarding procedures utilized should the district need to send a classroom or school to temporary virtual learning. The district and FTA are committed to doing everything in our collective power to keep our students and staff safely in school as we continue to weather this pandemic.
Superintendent Nelson commented, “It’s crucial to remember that the single most important thing we can do in times of adversity is to rally together in support of one another, and in support of our kids, our families, and our community.”
FTA President, Manuel Bonilla, shared, “We’re honored by the dedication of our educators, nurses, and trades professionals as they navigate the challenges of this pandemic and advocate for what’s best for students. We’re glad to have an agreement that will help balance safety and academic needs.”