State Teachers Union Head Calls for Online Learning in Counties Heavily Impacted by COVID-19

HARRISBURG, PA – Rich Askey, president of the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA), says school districts in counties with a substantial level of COVID-19 should go to fulltime remote learning.

Askey, in a press release Wednesday, said districts should follow existing state guidelines for education. Those guidelines say remote learning should be used in counties with a substantial level of community coronavirus spread, equal to 100 or more cases per 100,000 residents.

Presently there are 38 of Pennsylvania’s 67 categories at or above that benchmark. They include Centre, Union, Mifflin and Huntingdon counties in central Pennsylvania.

Askey said, “The state departments of Health and Education developed these guidelines based on good science and what the infection rates are in a school’s community. We must follow these guidelines to the letter. It’s the best way for us to slow the spread of this virus and keep our students, staff, and their families safe.”

“As educators and support professionals, every PSEA member wants to be at school with their students, providing them with the best possible education. Our concern is that in-person instruction in communities with a substantial spread of the virus will put the health and safety of everyone in those school communities at risk. That is why it is so critically important for every district to follow the state guidelines.”

Keystone Central School District is in the second week of an announced two-week virtual-only instruction period. Per earlier announcement, if conditions warrant, classroom instruction will resume on Monday, Nov. 16. Additional word on the local district is expected from KCSD Superintendent Jacquelyn Martin at the Thursday, Nov. 12 school board meeting.