The debate over school closures and in-person learning that have come in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic went to a new venue in Los Angeles. Parents have filed a lawsuit against the local school district and teachers’ union over closures and remote learning. The thrust of the complaint is that the union is forcing schools to remain closed unnecessarily and causing both emotional and academic suffering for the children.
Timothy Snowball, the attorney for the plaintiffs, argues that “the scientific consensus is clear, schools can be reopened. Children, like our clients in this lawsuit, have been suffering needlessly…” Snowball goes on to argue that the union has made demands on a number of hot-button political topics that are peripheral or unrelated to public education, and that these demands are preventing schools from reopening.
The plaintiffs, out of fear for potential retaliation, are only identified by their initials. One of them, “CP,” said that she generally shares the political goals outlined by the union, but that her 5-year-old son has suffered severe emotional regression from the lack of in-person learning.
“Every day he had meltdowns and tantrums,” she said. “It was creating a regression where he wasn’t social.” Snowball added that other children have gone from being socially active and well-adjusted to being either addicted to computers or outright suicidal.
The union hasn’t responded to this specific lawsuit, but previous public statements indicate that they see this is an issue of safety for students and families.
Snowball has filed the lawsuit in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. While grievances against the union form the bulk of the charges, the lawsuit also says that the school district has failed in its responsibility to act in the best interests of students, in effectively ceding control of reopening to the union.
Even though schools are looking ahead to reopening under a hybrid remote/in-person combination, the plaintiffs feel that the current plan offers very little benefit to students.
There are also disputes over requirements that students be subjected to weekly COVID-19 testing and that the kids themselves—not just the teachers—maintain 6-feet social distancing practices with placement of their desks.
The specific demand of the plaintiffs is that a judge issue an injunction that will prevent the union from blocking completely in-person education. They are also seeking damages that will add up to roughly $16,000 per child—the cost of tuition at a school that would provide in-person education, along with legal and attorney fees.
The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on society in a myriad of ways. The legal battle between 2 sides—the teachers and the parents who once saw common cause with each other—is one more wound that will have to be healed.