Advocacy from charter leaders has helped expedite teacher vaccinations! On February 10, Governor Cooper announced that teachers would be prioritized in the next round of COVID vaccinations. This decision follows advocacy from the state’s charter and other K-12 leaders. And it comes on the heels of the Governor’s recent recommendation that schools re-open for in-person learning. In fact, numerous N.C. charter schools are already open for in-person learning.
The push: prioritize our teachers
On February 4, in partnership with Rhonda Dillingham of the North Carolina Association for Public Charter Schools, the Coalition’s executive director, Lindalyn Kakadelis, sent a joint vaccine letter to Gov. Cooper and DHHS Sec. Mandy Cohen. The ask: Prioritize vaccinations for all public K-12 educators. The letter urged that charter and district educators be vaccinated in the first wave of Group 3 (frontline essential workers).
The very good news: This is now scheduled to happen.
The letter to Gov. Cooper and Sec. Cohen noted:
“Earlier this week, you and other state leaders called on more schools around the state to open for in-person learning. As advocates for the state’s public charter school community, we support this worthwhile goal. The pandemic and related school closures have resulted in devastating lost learning opportunities for North Carolina’s students.
However, we must also ensure that charter and other public K-12 educators receive their vaccinations as quickly as possible, so they can safely and reliably perform their essential roles in person. While educators are committed to doing their part and continuing to follow established public health protocols, they should be able to do so knowing that the state is striving to prioritize their health and safety by expediting their vaccinations.”
Eligibility for teacher vaccinations opens February 24.
