We are deeply concerned with your recent decision to subvert CDC guidelines and remove educators and other front-line workers from Tier B of Montana’s COVID vaccination plan. Since this pandemic began, teachers and school employees have been working tirelessly to keep our schools safe, our children engaged, and our economy moving. They have done so often at the expense of their own personal health and safety.

The decision to put off vaccinating teachers, school employees, and other front-line workers is both bad for public health and immensely disrespectful to these heroic Montanans. This, combined with the rollback of other important COVID restrictions, could have disastrous impacts on our schools and communities.

We urge you to prioritize educators and front-line workers and hope that you will review and revise your vaccine implementation plan to keep our schools open and safe.