The Idaho Education Association launched an anonymous hotline Tuesday for teachers to report risky health situations.
The Health and Safety Report Hotline allows educators to anonymously report situations and activities that put the health of educators and students at risk.
“Since school buildings reopened, we have heard reports from educators in many areas of the state about breakdowns in safety protocols and COVID-19 transparency,” says IEA President Layne McInelly.
For example, among the concerning instances they can report on are:
Violations of safety protocols related to:
Inability to achieve physical distancing
Lack of proper cleaning/disinfecting supplies
Violations of mask mandates
Lack of transparency from districts in reporting positive cases
Lack of fidelity in informing educators and parents about cases, testing, and tracking
Discouragement of coronavirus-exposed students and staff from getting tested
Discouragement of sending sick students home
COVID-19 positive students and staff being told to attend school in-person
Insufficient nursing and medical support
“Many of them are requesting anonymity because of concerns about retribution. The Health and Safety Report Hotline gives them a chance to report freely and will give us a more accurate picture of what is actually happening in Idaho schools,” McInelly said.
Once data has been collected, it will be shared, when appropriate, with public education decision-makers.
“We hope this hotline will help create an environment for informed decision-making that will protect Idaho students and educators,” says McInelly.
