- Email Content
To:
commissioner@tea.texas.gov
info@tea.texas.gov
CC:
BCC:
Subject: [Write Unique Subject]
To Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath,
My name is [FULL NAME], and I'm a resident of [CITY/STATE]. I am emailing because I am deeply concerned about the current public school fall semester Covid 19 guidelines recently published by the Texas Education Agency.
It is because of the constant and consistent effort of Texas educators, that the state of Texas has historically set the benchmark for public education in contrast to the rest of the United States. As such the recent policy proposals of the Texas Education Agency are concerning because they will result in an unprecedented and unnecessary strain on the resources and personnel of the public education system.
The primary list of grievances that result from the Texas Education Agency's Covid guidelines are as follows:
1. On July 9th, the state of Texas had a spike of over 10,000 confirmed cases of Covid 19. Adding to the total of 250,000 cases in Texas. Currently the public health system is near max capacity. This is concerning, especially for public education due to the fact that the TEA wants to reopen schools at an all time peak.
2. A mandatory in-person 5 day school week, in combination with instructing online classes, doubles the work required by underpaid public Texas educators.
3. The recent proposals by the TEA have not planned any measures for protecting the health of teachers.
4. There is no requirement for teachers nor students to wear a mask.
5. Demands made by teachers in the Education Austin union and other teachers' unions have not been addressed.
6. The Covid 19 policy of the TEA has forced Laredo public schools to return to in person classes, which jeopardizes the health of teachers and students.
7. Premont ISD has stated that they will not have time to sanitize facilities after class due to a mandatory 5 day school week. Additionally 2 students attending summer classes at Premont have tested positive for Covid.
8. Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath doesn't have a background in teaching, and so is uniquely unqualified in addressing issues affecting teachers.
9. The Texas Education Agency has disregarded concerns voiced by Texas medical professionals including the UT Dell Medical School division for infectious diseases.
10. School funding is still primarily based off of attendance, this could result in sharps drops for school funding as absences increase due to covid cases.
Until these statewide grievances are addressed, the Texas Education Agency must not be allowed to reopen public school districts, as it jeopardizes the lives of students and teachers.
As one of the first states to reopen public schools, Texas is being closely watched by the rest of the United States. The actions of the Texas Education Agency affect far more than just Texas' public health. I urge the state of Texas to once again become leaders in a safe and informed public education system.
Protect our teachers,
[YOUR NAME]
[ZIP]
[PHONE #]
[EMAIL]
- Sources
Sources:
1. For Texas having +10,000 cases on July 9th
2. For the TEA requiring in-class lessons
3. For not protecting teachers
6-7. For forcing Fremont and Laredo into unsafe conditions
8. For Mike Morath's lack of experience in teaching
9. For disregarding the advice of medical professionals
10. For Texas school funding being dependent on average attendance