Portland educators and parents demand more stringent safety protocols for students and staff

A petition outlining measures needed for a safe return to in-person instruction is being circulated by a group of local educators, Portland Caucus of Rank-and-file Educators (PCORE), in coalition with MxM Bloc, a Black-led parent advocacy and mutual aid group. The demands listed are based on an in-depth analysis of the Portland Public Schools (PPS) swiss cheese pandemic mitigation model as compared to health expert recommendations, and both, Oregon Department of Education and CDC, guidance.

The groups call for online learning opportunities for all families and educators who may want or need them. They insist on transparent communication and a seat at the table for BIPOC families for all decision making. Additional mitigation measures listed in the demands include cohorting; mandatory quarantine for those with a positive test result; robust, routine COVID testing for students, staff, and families as well as enforced physical distancing. None of these are adequately addressed in the PPS plan.

Several members of PCORE and a MxM Bloc representative presented the petition to district leadership at the PPS School Board meeting on August 10 with the goal of influencing the district to adopt more stringent protocols to keep students, staff and families from contracting the coronavirus.