AUSTIN (KXAN) — Despite approving the majority of teacher requests to work from home for the fall semester during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Austin Independent School District has denied the majority of requests to work remotely for the spring semester.
Austin ISD told KXAN of the 1,156 accommodation requests received, a district committee denied 940, approved 48 and 168 are incomplete as of Tuesday.
AISD sent the following explanation for the stark difference between the fall and spring:
“As we look toward the spring semester, we are preparing to welcome more students back to on-campus instruction. We know that it is paramount that our teachers and staff are able to provide the high-quality, on-campus teaching and support that each and every student deserves. The committee consulted with local health authorities regarding the CDC’s list of health conditions that could put employees at higher risk, and learned that the risk posed was greatly reduced by the health and safety protocols in place at our campuses. It was determined that only those at the highest risk who could best fulfill their duties remotely would be eligible for remote work, in order to best support teaching and learning for students.“
Confused and upset teachers started reaching out to KXAN Monday night, as soon as they received their denial letters from the district.
Ray Lopez-Mata, a pre-k teacher at Barrington Elementary School who said he is currently teaching from home due to diabetes and a heart condition, said his accommodation was denied.
Patty Candelaria, a dyslexia therapist in training at Kiker Elementary, said her request was also denied—even though she has a congenital heart defect and has had three open-heart surgeries.
Navarro Early College High School teacher Karen Casto said she got the same answer, even though she’s 70-years-old and has moderate to severe asthma.
“A 32-year employee that I talked to a little earlier, she has congestive heart failure, she has diabetes, she is 60-years-old, and she is African-American,” said Ken Zarifis, President of Education Austin. “If that doesn’t get an approval, what in the world world will?”
In an email, AISD told KXAN a committee consulted with local health authorities and were told safety protocols on campus greatly reduced the COVID-19 risk. Those protocols include wearing masks, social distancing, temperature checks and deep cleaning.
Therefore, AISD said it decided only those with the highest risk, who could successfully work remotely, would be allowed to do so.
Teachers who asked how to appeal the district’s decision said they were told there is no appeals process.
“It makes me really disheartened that Austin ISD would not have an appeal process where a committee decides this without regards to the person behind the name,” said Candelaria.
Now, teachers are left with a decision to make. Casto said her plan prior to the denial was to work from home until she could get the vaccine.
“I’m going to keep trying, because honestly with a vaccine coming out so soon why they couldn’t just give us a month by month, so that we can have a chance to get vaccinated before we went back to school?” said Casto.
Lopez-Mata said he can’t afford not having a job and has already reached out to his principal asking for specifics about health and safety procedures in place.
“I will go back, but I’m going to be very aware of what’s happening,” said Lopez-Mata.
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