Dear Dr. Adams, Mayor Hughes, and FISD School Board,
We, the undersigned, are a community of family and friends of Fairfield Independent School District staff and students, writing to request implementation of a safe educational and workspace environment for our loved ones in the upcoming 2020-2021 school year. We are of the understanding that FISD will open in-person and virtually on Wednesday, August 19. We are also of the understanding that the Texas Education Agency is allowing local governments to implement public health ordinances ordering schools to stay closed for at least three to four weeks, and that such ordinances have been established in whole counties including Dallas, Bexar, Harris, and Travis to name a few. Lastly, we understand that in locations where local governments have not made such ordinances, parents and guardians are allowed to make the ultimate decision about whether their child attends in person or virtual school. We implore you to keep the health and safety of FISD staff, students, their families, and the community-at-large at the forefront of your final strategy for beginning the fall semester, including consideration of further delay of beginning classes if the District is not yet fully prepared to operate effectively and safely in the face of COVID-19.
Texas continues to make headlines as a hotspot state in a country being ravaged by an uncontrolled virus. Governor Greg Abbott issued a disaster proclamation on March 13, certifying an ‘imminent threat of disaster for all counties in the State of Texas.’ On July 2, Abbott renewed this declaration as a continued public health disaster with the addition of the mask mandate via Executive Order GA 29. In many counties, outdoor gatherings of more than 10 people are prohibited, as allowed by GA 29. While Freestone County has not made such a public health 1 order, the fact that this is an option signifies that a plan for in-person learning is risky at best. Safe practice of physical distancing by upwards of 20 students in a classroom is not feasible, let alone by the hundreds gathering in common areas and hallways between periods.
The number of COVID-19 cases within the City of Fairfield and Freestone County will increase drastically once FISD campuses open. As of August 11, there have been 162 documented infections in Freestone, although untested and unreported positives are certain considering known asymptomatic characteristics of COVID-19. While cases in Freestone may seem low compared to other areas in Texas, the County has a relatively high infection rate (last reported as approximately 16 new positives daily per 100,000 people), nearing those of Dallas and Tarrant Counties (approximately 19 and 21, respectively). Neighboring Navarro County, home to some FISD students, has among the highest infection rates in the State (approximately 25). 3, 4 Across the nation and world, even people who are young, healthy, and without pre-existing medical conditions have died due to COVID-19 complications. The number of FISD teachers and staff over the age of 60 and/or with underlying medical conditions face greater risk, which can and must be minimized.
Teaching is about to become one of the most dangerous occupations in Texas. Teachers across the State are considering resigning or retiring early if their school district will not adequately protect their lives and those of the community and students. We understand that FISD plans to implement protocols for what happens when a teacher or student contracts the virus, implying that it is expected and inevitable. While measures to ensure appropriate quarantine and prevent additional contamination are applauded, prevention is the greatest safety net that should be afforded to the community, and should be our first line of defense.
FISD must take full advantage of the transition period or delayed start date allowed by the TEA to continue preparations for virtual learning so that it is comparable to in-person education standards. Furthermore, the highest quality health and safety solutions must be implemented to mitigate the current risk of in-person learning. While it is understandable that the District only recently finalized COVID-19 procedures due to the TEA releasing inadmissibly delayed guidelines, it would also be unacceptable to open schools prematurely if we can utilize more time to organize new learning procedures. It is not worth reopening schools in any capacity if FISD is not prepared to provide a physically safe environment or its usual standard of educational excellence to its online students.
We beg you: listen to your teachers, staff, area doctors, and concerned families. We as a community have so many great ideas on how to go back to school safely and/or make distance learning work for our students. Together we can figure this out. We should look to other districts, such as Dallas ISD, and other states that are making distance learning work or have effectively flattened their “curve,” like New York or Washington. We also request that you be flexible as the school year moves forward, the situation undoubtedly changes globally, and as students, teachers, and staff begin to contract COVID-19 at school. Further, we request definitive plans and metrics for acceptable levels of transmission at school (i.e. how many cases are too many before closing schools and reconsidering COVID plans), how the situation will be monitored and periodic testing provided to identify outbreaks before they spread widely, and contingency plans for worst case massive outbreaks, subsequent contact tracing, and what resources will be provided when a student, teacher, or staff member dies from COVID-19. The District must explore ways for at-risk teachers, staff, and students (including immuno-compromised, with family at risk, etc.) to remain off campus and reduce their risk of infection. In addition basic COVID safety measures in school buildings must be required and implemented, such as: installing HEPA filters in ventilation systems and upgrading ventilation to cycle outside air more frequently, or providing air purifiers in each classroom; enforcing mask requirements and proper usage at all times while at school, potentially as part of the dress code, no exceptions; requiring six foot minimum physical distancing at all times, no exceptions, utilizing additional campus or community spaces for daily operations as necessary; requiring personal hygiene and surface disinfecting requirements of students and staff with specific guidelines, such as hand washing/sanitizing upon entering and exiting a room, sanitizing desks/computers before students leave a class period, limiting personal items, etc. no exceptions.
Lastly, we have observed FISD administration employees publicly touting personal opinions to the community and through social media about the validity of COVID-19 as a public health concern. This is unacceptable. Public school administrators must be on board with government and medical guidance regarding safety of their staff, students, and the entire community and must push for solutions aligned with such. Personal, un-professional, non-medical opinions in opposition are unfounded and outright life-threatening in these circumstances, and must not be allowed to influence District decisions or operations.
In closing, we, the undersigned, feel it is FISD’s basic responsibility to not only provide superior education and social development, but more importantly to protect the health of its employees, students, and the highly connected community of Fairfield and surrounding areas. We are concerned that these responsibilities may not be upheld to the highest degree as the situation stands today. We understand that entirely remote education is difficult, especially for our rural community, and that redesigning public education is fraught with issues. However, it is unacceptable to risk our collective wellbeing by beginning the school year insufficiently prepared. Again we beg you: do not begin the school year if we are not ready. If debilitated in bed or at the hospital (or worse, dead), students cannot learn from home, teachers cannot teach, bus drivers cannot provide transportation to school, and custodians cannot keep us safe. FISD can continue to lead the region in educational excellence, but only if it simultaneously leads the way in public health.
Friends of a Safe and Healthy FISD
Signed by fifty individuals, including former and current students, parents, former and current FISD employees and teachers, and family. Complete list is below:
-Morgan Prihoda
Valedictorian, FHS class of ’13, younger brother attending FHS
Field Engineer – Drilling
-Kaiden Gray
Previous Honor Graduate, Class of 2012
Communications and Content Manager
-Zachary Prihoda
Class of `12 Salutatorian
Aerospace Engineer
-William Matthews
Parent of student
Mechanic
-Anonymous
FISD employee
-Anonymous
FISD employee
-Anonymous
Parent, former FISD employee
-Angela Coleman/Means
Parent of two students,
Family and friends’ kids attend
-Mary Coleman
Grandparent of four students; l’m their Nana and have underlying serious health issues
-Leslie Whitehead /Brackens
My grandkids and I have a family member with COVID-19. I thank God she made it out and is doing well, but she had a hard time.
-Robert McCully
Family Member of FISD Teacher
Retired
-Andy McCully
Class of 2014 Salutatorian, FJH teacher’s kid
-Anonymous
Former student, Class of 2014
-Rowan Prihoda
Valedictorian, Class of ’17
sibling of current student
-Sebastian Matthews
Current student
-Kristine Matthews
Family of FISD staff
-Anonymous
FISD employee
-Anonymous
Teacher
-Anonymous
Current FHS teacher
-Erica Childress
Parent and alumni
Pharmacy Technician
-Carlos Means
Parent of students
-Eric Coleman
For the love of my grandkids
-Louis Whitehead
Uncle of my nephews that attend FISD
-Deborah J Smith
Grandparent of students
Retired
-Robb McCully
Family of FISD employee and graduate class of 2010
Relay technician
-Kerry McCully
Relative of FJH teacher
-Natasha Thrasher
Family Member of FISD Employee
-Anonymous
Parent of student
-Anonymous
FHS graduate and family of an FHS employee
-Anonymous
FHS graduate and family of an FISD employee
-Brandy M. Lynch, PhD, CSCS
Former FJH Teacher/Coach (‘07-’13)
Assistant Professor
College of Education – University of Central Missouri
-Vickie Goodell
Former Fairfield High School teacher, Dual Credit
History/government
-Madison Black
Honor Graduate, Class of 2016 & daughter of retired
FES teacher
College Student
-Ashley Kethley
Alumni, Class of 2013
Current teacher
-Kassi Cullen
FHS class of ‘13
-Matthew McCully
Class of 2016 honor grad,
FJH teacher’s kid
College student
-Sherry Hancock
Relative of FISD employee, Past Student,
Class of 2014
Child care provider
-Terry Ezell
Son of previous FISD employee, alumni class of 2010
Active Duty United States Air Force
-Deborah Rash
Retired FISD employee
Secondary teacher
-Melody Higgins
Former FJH teacher
Current teacher
-Spencer Higgins
Former Honor graduate Class of 2010
& son of former FJH teacher
-Morgan Jackson
Honor Graduate of the class of 2016
Laboratory technician/manager
-Audra Jackson
Graduate of 1990
-Adrian Theisen
Former student
-Samantha Walls
Former student, Class of 2014
Construction worker
-C. Gillian
Former student
-Anonymous
Alumni
-Alexander Neal
Resident of Streetman, friend of FISD teacher
Texas State Park Ranger
-Alexa Sandin
Friend of FISD teacher
Current Teacher
-Nancy Pults
Friend of teacher and current students
Real Estate Manager
-Francie R Anthony
Friend of a concerned FISD parent
Retired Spanish, English, ELL teacher, high school and university
-Cynthia Ryan
Friend of students at FHS
Engineer
-Katie Beard
A very close friend to some FHS students
-Anonymous
Alumni/ Class President
Business owner, self employed
-Alessandra Neal
Friend of FISD teacher and former students
Current teacher
-George Neal
Family friend of FISD teacher
-Becky Villateal
Friend of FISD teacher
Retired teacher
-Laura Brito-Hazelton
Friend of FISD teacher
Retired teacher
-Pilar Starr
Friend of FISD teacher
Retired teacher
-Janice Southworth
Friend of FISD teacher
Grant professional
-Anonymous
Concerned supporter of FISD
For more information, or to add your name to the list, contact Andy McCully at 903-390-2907, or send an email to k_a_mccully@berkeley.edu
For more information, or to add your name to the list, contact Andy McCully at 903-390-2907, or send an email to k_a_mccully@berkeley.edu
