The Lynn School Committee has opted to pursue a remote learning for students reopening model for the Lynn Public Schools System. Despite the grave concerns of Lynn Teachers Union, Local 1037 members and many members of our community regarding the reopening plans, our Union has an obligation to attempt to find common ground and ensure the safety of our community to the highest possible degree.

The LTU 1037 is calling on Mayor Thomas McGee, Superintendent Patrick Tutwiler, and the members of the Lynn School Committee to sign on to this Bill of Rights for the Reopening of Lynn Public Schools. All of these individuals have stated that community safety and access to quality education are their top priorities. This document is reflective of those concepts and is in line with the most important proposals that LTU 1037 will bring before the district.

The LTU 1037 is also calling on you, members of the Lynn community, to sign on to this Bill of Rights. We will only be able to serve our students and maintain the safety of our City if we can commit to shared values which can guide us.

These items are the start, not the end, of what we need to accomplish together.

Bill of Rights
For
The Reopening of Lynn Public Schools

All staff with extenuating circumstances have the right to a remote assignment to ensure the safety and success of them and their families.

All members of the Lynn Public Schools community have the right to be informed of all suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 within the district while also maintaining the greatest amount of privacy possible for the compromised individual.

All staff and students have the right to school buildings that are fully compliant, at a minimum, with all safety guidelines at all times. Every individual has the right to refuse to enter a building that is unsafe - including buildings without proper social distancing, quality ventilation and functioning windows, enforced facial covering mandates, or clear and effective cleaning protocols.

All students and staff have the right to follow all proper quarantining protocols without reprisals - including employer provided paid leaves of absence for all staff required to quarantine and student access to district run academic and social-emotional support during quarantines.

All students and staff have a right to have access to no-cost, efficient, and rapid COVID-19 testing.

All students have the right to the full range of talented LPS staff. The district must find creative and productive ways to utilize all support staff.

All staff and students have a right to the technology and materials necessary to be successful during any period of remote learning.

All students have a right to be food-secure. Lynn Public Schools shall continue to provide all necessary student meals despite the state of school reopening.

All students have a right to educators with their full range of professional autonomy. No LPS teaching roles should be subcontracted, and staff must be given the freedom to creatively engage students according to their professional judgement.

All members of the LPS community have a right to full transparency regarding the public health metrics that will be used to guide the future of the reopening process.