OEA Supports Governor’s Decision to Extend School Closures

[April 20, 2020] The Ohio Education Association (OEA) believes Governor DeWine made the right decision today to extend the closure of Ohio’s schools for the remainder of the school year to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

The following statement can be attributed to OEA President Scott DiMauro:

“The OEA appreciates the Governor’s leadership in making decisions focused on the health and safety of all Ohioans as our state faces the continued challenge of dealing with the COVID-19 public health pandemic. While our members deeply miss interacting with students in person, OEA’s top priority is the health and safety of our students, members and the communities we serve.

OEA members will continue to do all that they can to ensure the wellbeing of students and to keep students creatively engaged in learning throughout the duration of the shutdown.

OEA is grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with state leaders and other education stakeholders, including superintendents, school boards, parents and community leaders, to address the deep inequities in our education system that this crisis has exposed and exacerbated. We’ll need time to assess the needs of all students—including students with special developmental needs; students with health challenges; and students whose circumstances deprive them of access to technology, adequate nutrition, or other essential supports—and work together to support them in the best way possible.

We call on Congress to provide additional relief to help us meet the needs of Ohio’s students and local school districts. Schools will reopen and when they do, we must welcome our students back to a more equitable, safe and dynamic learning environment that meets the promise of public education that all students, parents, families and educators deserve.”

The Ohio Education Association represents 122,000 teachers, faculty members and support professionals in Ohio’s public schools, colleges and universities.