AUSTIN, Texas — A Texas teachers’ union says it is making good progress in negations with Austin Independent School District (AISD) to make sure local educators are not pressured to return to classrooms during the coronavirus pandemic.

What You Need To Know

  • Teachers’ Union is negotiating with AISD superintendent

  • Union advises teachers to stay home if uncomfortable returning to school

  • Teachers are asked to contact their principals

Last week, hundreds of Austin teachers vowed not to return to schools this Monday for in-person classes.

On Saturday, Education Austin, the teachers' and employees' union for AISD said it had met with superintendent Stephanie S. Elizalde and she was now willing to accept a volunteer system for teachers returning. Prior to the meeting, Elizalde was requiring all teachers to return to school on Monday.

A message on the union’s web site says in part:

There are some logistics to work out. Because TEA is requiring the schools to open, there needs to be enough staff at the school to make sure the students who come can be safe. No one wants 30 students stuffed in a room with one poor teacher or staff person. The superintendent committed to working with us to create a fair system to determine how to call people in when there is not enough staff. We will want input on how to create such a system from all of you. We will begin meeting with the superintendent to create this system next week. We have also won a commitment from the superintendent to work with us to improve the conditions within the school, so everyone can be safe. We are also working to make the jobs less stressful right now, such as eliminating benchmarks and other items.

Education Austin is advising teachers who do not feel comfortable returning to school to stay home and work remotely. The group is encouraging teachers to communicate with their school principals. The union says it will back teachers up 100 percent.

Education Austin says it will email teachers Monday with an update on the negotiations.