WINFIELD – The state’s largest teachers union is seeking an injunction to end Putnam County Schools’ COVID-19 policy.
The West Virginia Education Association filed a complaint October 18 in Putnam Circuit Court alleging the county school system’s policy violates state regulations.
In the lawsuit, the WVEA says the school board’s policies on contact tracing, masks, quarantines and seating charts violate state reportable disease rules.
Lee
“The Putnam County BOE is clearly violating the law and is not willing to make any changes in order to comply with the regulations,” WVEA President Dale Lee said in a statement. “Specifically, they are in violation of West Virginia’s Reportable Disease Rules (64CSR7). DHHR, the WVDE and the governor’s office are aware of the violation.
“To keep our students, employees and their families safe from the spread of COVID, we are seeking a preliminary injunction before the court. WVEA is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment at school for our students and employees.”
Last month, the Putnam County school board approved a mask mandate. It was one of the last counties in the state to do so.
The Putnam policy says a mask mandate only can be implemented if 25 percent of high school students or 15 percent of elementary or middle school students test positive for COVID. The policy also allows only one school official to report COVID cases to the health department.
“If you’re to those numbers you’ve created a health-hazard to begin with,” Lee told MetroNews.
Lee described the policy as ridiculous, and he said the county contract tracing plan is impossible to follow. Lee also said teachers are afraid to talk publicly about the policy.
“The fear from educators is retaliation from the board,” Lee told MetroNews. “We want our students in front of our educators. We know that’s the best possible environment, but people have to be safe.”
A spokesperson for Putnam County Schools said it does not comment on pending litigation.