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Let’s get DC children back to school

WASHINGTON – The DC Republican Committee issued the following statement regarding the Washington Teachers’ Union’s (WTU) continued refusal to resume in-person instruction at DC Public Schools.

DC Republican Committee Chairman Patrick Mara stated, “DC Public Schools students have been at home now since March 2020, and the WTU continues to lack interest in returning its teachers back to in-person instruction.” Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found through new studies that there is little likelihood of Coronavirus transmission in schools as long as precautions are put in place. Mara noted, “Even District resident Dr. Anthony Fauci supports the CDC’s school reopening plan.”

“Furthermore, early childhood centers across the city have been educating children in person for months, if not for the better part of the past year, but WTU members get a pass. In fact, the WTU mandated that their teachers skip the Covid-19 vaccination line over early childhood education teachers and other first responders, yet they continue to advocate for virtual learning. The union keeps moving the goalposts as to what it demands before their teachers return to in-person teaching. At this rate, DC public school kids may not get back to school for years.”

Chairman Mara, a former elected member of the DC State Board of Education and the father of two young DC Public Schools children, noted the extreme inconvenience of not having an in-person instruction option for nearly a year now. He stated, “Many middle-class families are struggling with juggling the daily routine of homeschooling their children and making a living. However, where is the outrage for economically disadvantaged and special needs children? Do these children not exist anymore? There has always been a deep concern for economically disadvantaged children and those with special needs. Where is that outrage today? Where is WTU’s concern for the achievement gap? Where is WTU’s concern for the thousands of children who are lost or who are not logging on to virtual learning? Enough is enough. It’s time for the union bosses at WTU to stop dragging their feet and to get their employees back to work. For once, WTU must stop being so selfish and put students first.”

For further comment, contact Patrick Mara at patrick.mara@dcgop.com.

The DC Republican Committee is composed of registered Republicans living throughout the District of Columbia in all eight wards who are nominated and elected to serve as members.


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