Two days before Christmas, Gov. Kate Brown pressed state agencies and school leaders to prioritize restoring in-person learning for more school children in the first several weeks of 2021. She called reducing the spread of COVID-19 and a safe return to campuses 鈥渢he greatest gift we can give to Oregon鈥檚 children this holiday season.鈥�
, including changing mandatory COVID-19 metrics into advice districts could consider rather than adhere to, Brown set a Feb. 15 goal for schools 鈥渢o return students to in-person instruction, especially elementary students.鈥�
But schools that meet that target date will likely reopen before teachers and other key campus staff have been vaccinated against the virus.
That reality is causing debate among educators and local leaders and more uncertainty for parents and students.
In the days leading up to Brown鈥檚 announcement of loosened regulations, the vast majority of Oregon students were attending class remotely. Just before winter break, less than 10% of Oregon鈥檚 estimated 580,000 students were receiving some form of in-person instruction, according to the Oregon data.
However, as Oregon leaders like Brown press to bring more students back to the classroom, top officials are also acknowledging the importance of getting teachers and other school staff vaccinated against COVID-19. 鈥� the next round of people to receive COVID-19 vaccines. That means they鈥檒l be in line for vaccines after healthcare workers and people at long-term care facilities, ahead of the general public.
. According to data released by the Oregon Health Authority, 44,415 people had received initial doses of the vaccine as of New Year鈥檚 Day.
In response to an inquiry from OPB, state health and education officials acknowledged that vaccinations for school staff aren鈥檛 even expected to begin until after the Feb. 15 target for reopening schools. Essential workers in the Phase 1b category should begin being vaccinated in late February, state officials said in an email to OPB.
Different districts, different decisions
Some school districts are moving ahead regardless of vaccines. have plans to start providing in-person instruction by the second week of January. School officials at the Eugene 4J district announced even before Gov. Brown鈥檚 announcement that they would .
But other districts, including Oregon鈥檚 largest, are being more cautious.
until the start of February at the earliest. That time frame will almost certainly be pushed back.
鈥淲e need educators and school staff to have access to vaccinations before we re-open,鈥� PPS spokesperson Karen Werstein said in a Dec. 30 email. 鈥淩ight now, we are keeping a close watch on the rollout of vaccinations and look forward to PPS school staff being able to access vaccines at the beginning of phase 1B, per Gov. Brown鈥檚 confirmation last week.鈥�
The unions that represent Oregon teachers have expressed skepticism at Brown鈥檚 push for reopenings. Some teachers worry that school buildings and classroom practices can鈥檛 be made sufficiently safe during a global pandemic. The Oregon Education Association was critical of Brown鈥檚 Feb. 15 target and policy changes, saying they would lead to 鈥渦ncertainty鈥� and a 鈥減atchwork鈥� of different approaches across the state.
The Oregon School Boards Association was more supportive; the state legislature just approved one of that group鈥檚 key criteria for reopening: granting schools liability protection from COVID-19-related lawsuits.
鈥淭his next step will require close coordination with local health authorities,鈥� OSBA executive director Jim Green said in a press release after Brown鈥檚 Dec. 23 announcement. 鈥淎bove all, we want to minimize risks as we return to in-person instruction.鈥�
But if minimizing risk involves vaccinating school staff, reopening schools won鈥檛 happen quickly, and won鈥檛 happen in time to meet the governor鈥檚 Feb. 15 reopening goal.
Copyright 2021 Oregon Public Broadcasting
