‘Let’s listen to the teachers:’ NYC comptroller on school re-openings

‘Let’s listen to the teachers:’ NYC comptroller on school re-openings

To date, the city of New York, the most populous city in the U.S. and

To date, the city of New York, the most populous city in the U.S. and the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, has only received 12% of federal PPP loans. Like many cities and counties around the country, New York is counting on federal loan aid to help businesses and support in the reopening of public schools. NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer joined Yahoo Finance to discuss why the city needs a stimulus package that includes funding for education.

“We need to have a stimulus package that is also gonna include money for school re-openings; this is not a cheap undertaking,” he said.

“This is really a matter of putting dollars to work so that we can create a school plan that works for kids, whether it’s [online learning or] classroom learning. This is the challenge of every big city and every small county in America right now,” he stressed.

QUEENS, NY, UNITED STATES – 2020/03/01: New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer. The St. Pat’s for All parade celebrates the diversity of the Irish and Irish American communities of New York. First held in 2000, St.Pat’s for All cherishes and celebrates an inclusive St. Patrick’s season. (Photo by Erik McGregor/LightRocket via Getty Images)

“Trump has to stop playing games and come forth with a stimulus that reflects that we actually need to get our kids educated in a safe way. Looking at science and medicine, not hokey pokey stuff coming out of Washington,” he added.

Stringer says that the teachers are often left in the dark when it comes to the reopening of NYC public schools. 

“The teachers are the last ones to be consulted on major life-and-death decisions. Keep in mind, teachers lost their lives teaching our children.” According to the NYC Department of Education, more than 79 DOE employees have died of COVID-19, including 31 teachers.

The NYC comptroller places blame at the feet of Mayor Bill de Blasio, whom he said took too long to close schools — and is taking too long to come up with a re-opening plan.

Stringer, referring to himself as a “Public school dad” of a seven and 8-year-old, offered some protocols that he believes would help city schools open safely. 

NEW YORK, UNITED STATES – 2020/08/03: Mayor Bill de Blasio speaks at press conference at the South Street Seaport about city preparation for tropical storm Isaias. There is prediction that Isaias will bring gusts of winds that could blow at 60 mph and up to 6 inches of rain and sea surge of 1 to 3 feet in the city. (Photo by Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)

“First in mind, we need nurses in every school. We need a safety officer, not for policing, but a medical safety officer in every school,” he said.

“We’ve got to double down and make sure these kids don’t get pushed aside because the government is incompetent, and it’s not willing to listen. I think that’s happening on the national level in the Trump administration and certainly happening in New York City. Let’s listen to the teachers. Let’s hear what their thoughts are. We cannot allow people to teach if they don’t feel safe, so let’s make them safe.”

Stringer says the city has 30-million square feet of open space and schoolyard space. He believes that the school system should take advantage of that to keep both students and teachers safe. 

“You gotta use some of it, folks. I mean, just get creative, get busy, do something.”

Reggie Wade is a writer for Yahoo Finance. Follow him on Twitter at @ReggieWade.

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