The nation’s largest school system is facing sobering odds for a grand fall reopening.
New York City Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza told city principals in a conference call earlier this week that there’s a “50-50″ shot that school buildings will open in September, sources told The Post.
While the Department of Education and city officials have stated an intent to open up after the summer, coronavirus complications could nix that schedule.
“The Chancellor made clear, as he has consistently, that our goal and our focus is on returning to buildings in September,” said DOE spokesperson Miranda Barbot Thursday. “He was referring to the fact that, just like other countries and cities across the world, we’re looking at different options for how to resume in person instruction and will not reopen a day before public health experts say it’s safe.”
Carranza tweeted Wednesday that he hopes to activate the system on time.
“We are moving full steam ahead for a September opening of schools, but always planning for any eventuality,” he posted. “Grateful every day for the hard work of all of our dedicated educators and support staff in serving our 1.1 million students.”
The United Federation of Teachers has demanded testing and cleaning protocols before teachers return to their buildings.
The union, which has lost dozens of members to the contagion, issued a new radio ad and petition Thursday to marshal public support and federal funding for these measures.
“With lives in the balance, we believe that public school educators in New York City — and nationwide — should not return to school buildings unless there are protocols and procedures in place to ensure the safety and health of the staff and students,” the petition states.
The union wants COVID-19 testing capacities, temperature checks for anyone who enters a school building, and “an exhaustive tracing procedure that would track down and isolate those who have had close contact with a student or staff member who tests positive for the virus.”