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Below is a letter  that was sent to our elected officials pressuring them to follow the guidelines of numerous other states and close all schools. The letter is being signed by many other local union Presidents from across Long Island. We are working hard to put the pressure on our elected officials to ensure that our teachers, staff, and most importantly students are not put in a dangerous or life threatening situation.  At this time of hysteria, it is important that we remain calm, that is what our profession warrants.

 

The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor

Ms. Shannon Tahoe, Interim Commissioner of Education

Dr. Howard Zucker, Commissioner, Department of Health

Ms. Laura Curran, Nassau County Executive

Mr. Steve Bellone, Suffolk County Executive

Mr. Andrew Pallotta, President, NYSUT

Good Afternoon,

We, the undersigned local teachers' union presidents and members of the Long Island Presidents' Council urge you to take decisive, immediate action to close all of our schools in an effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. We additionally urge you to take every possible measure to ensure that districts, teachers, and students are held harmless; that salaries and state aid are protected; and that hourly employees may continue to provide the essential services that our communities need. Educational, governmental and private institutions across the US and worldwide have begun closing in an effort to minimize exposure to the virus. Schools are precisely the sort of large-group, close-contact environment that government and health officials have identified as significant risks for the spread of this infection. We need your leadership and your advocacy. Further delays place people's lives at grave risk.

Respectfully,

Long Island Presidents Council

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