Lt. Governor Zuckerman Holds Press Conference Differentiating His Position from Governor Scott’s on Schools and Schools Reopening
PRESS RELEASE: September 1, 2020
Lt. Governor Zuckerman Holds Press Conference Differentiating His Position from Governor Scott’s on Schools and Schools Reopening
MONTPELIER: Today, the Zuckerman for VT campaign held a press conference on the statehouse lawn to speak about schools reopening and to differentiate Lt. Governor Zuckerman’s support of Vermont public schools and the actions that he would have taken to reopen them from Governor Scott’s positions.
Lt Governor Zuckerman said:
“What I have heard from educators, parents, and communities around the state is the reopening would have been easier, safer, and more consistent across communities in Vermont if we had a Governor who wholeheartedly supported our public education system and our teachers. Unfortunately, Gov. Scott has shown this not to be the case. He has placed additional burdens on our schools at the same time proposing to restrict funding, remove local control, and mandate student to teacher ratios.
Vermonters need a Governor who will make the health, wellbeing, and education of our future generations a priority. As Governor, I will support our schools, our teachers, our parents, and our students. I will have them at the table when making decisions about our schools. And I will work with them to build a better future and a stronger Vermont.”
Lt. Governor Zuckerman also put forward a list of actions that could have been taken by the administration to support a safe reopening and that could still be implemented to support our Vermont schools:
“A call for all educators to plan for the month of September as an “outdoor education” month.
Statewide purchase and distribution of hand sanitizer, plexiglass, thermometers, and other specific COVID-19 supplies.
Utilizing COVID relief money to fund contractors statewide to install hand sanitizer dispensers, touchless sinks and toilets, and touchless doors in as many locations as possible. This could have started in April and would have put Vermonters back to work.
Clarifying exemptions for school staff who cannot return to the school due to a health vulnerability for them or their family.
Understanding that English Language Learners and Special Education students cannot receive the support needed virtually and worked immediately to find ways to expand support in those areas so those students could receive individualized instruction at home or return to school for full 5-day instruction this fall.
Creating statewide guidelines for the process when someone has symptoms or tests positive for COVID-19, to ensure they are consistent district to district.”
Lt. Governor Zuckerman was joined by Dave Sharpe, the Former Chair of the House Committee on Education, Kate McCann a U-32 Math and 2017 Teacher of the Year, Mark Brown a U-32 English teacher and Soren Pfeffer of Central Vermont Real Estate.
The full press conference can be watched on the Zuckerman for VT Facebook page here.
If you would like a full copy of Lt. Governor Zuckerman’s remarks, please contact Kelt Wilska.
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