Mississippi teachers rally at state capitol to voice concerns over school re-openings

Teachers from across the state gathered for a rally in Jackson today to voice concerns over returning for the next school year.

The newly formed group ‘Mississippi Teachers Unite’ is asking for teachers to sign a letter to the governor that calls for various items including delaying schools, restarting until at least after Labor Day.

Mississippi has what’s called ‘local rule’ authority. Because of that, the state board can’t issue a blanket policy on exactly how to start back to school. High school teacher Alex Melnick said, “I want to see my students more than anything, but I want them to be alive more than anything, as people said before, we can’t teach dead students, I can’t show up to work if I’m dead. So all I’m asking here is we need to delay school until Labor Day or CDC guidelines can be met and not only that, we need to fully fund these schools.”

Mississippi Association of Educators President Erica Jones said, “I taught second grade for nine years guys, there’s no way we can socially distance second graders. Do you believe me? Let me hear your voices. There is no place where our educators would rather be than back in the school buildings, but now is not the time. We must delay the start of school.”

‘Mississippi Professional Educators’ is asking the state board to lobby our congressional delegation to support any federal legislation to offset the added costs of local districts. They’re also asking them to waive the state assessments and accountability requirements.