Bannockburn teachers to call for immediate return to remote learning

BANNOCKBURN – Tonight, the Bannockburn Education Association (BEA) will call for an immediate switch to remote learning for students and staff. The BEA plans to make the statement at tonight’s Bannockburn School District 106 Board of Education (BOE) meeting.

On Tues., Oct. 20, the BOE voted to keep schools open for in-person learning, in spite of an announcement from the Lake County Health Department (LCHD) on Tues., Oct. 20 that advised all schools in the county should shift to virtual learning because of growing COVID-19 infection rates. At the BOE meeting, Supt. Scott Herrmann echoed the LCHD and recommended Bannockburn pivot to remote learning due to increased community spread.

“As teachers, parents, and community members, we are looking for guidance from the experts, and the medical experts at the Lake County Health Department have advised it is not safe for us to have in-person learning at this time,” BEA Co-President Deb Kramer said. “By keeping the Bannockburn school building open, we are risking sickness, hospitalization and death in our community. Not adhering to the county guidelines is reckless. Disregarding the fact that the district could get sued by not adhering to the guidelines is fiscally reckless. We are asking the board to reconsider their decision to remain open for in-person learning and open when the county, state and CDC guidelines recommend opening the building.”

The BEA represents 21 teachers in District 106 providing an education to the 148 students at Bannockburn School. Bannockburn School feeds into Deerfield High School.

Deerfield High School, Highland Park High School, Deerfield Elementary School, Lincolnshire and several other districts within Lake County have closed school buildings and those students have fully remote learning plans.

“We love this school and community. Every day, we feel a sense of family within our school – whether in person or remote. Our students are like our children. And that is why we would never in a million years want to risk their lives or the lives of our staff or our community. The medical experts say it is not safe to be in the building. We should follow their advice,” Kramer said.

Bannockburn moved to hybrid instruction two weeks ago, on Oct. 5. Students come to learn in person 5 days per week in morning and afternoon cohorts.

Tonight’s board meeting is set to begin at 7 p.m. Those wishing to attend tonight’s meeting can join through this Zoom link. The meeting ID is 859 8258 3727 and the password is bulldogs.

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The 135,000 member Illinois Education Association (IEA-NEA) is the state’s largest education employee’s organization. IEA represents preK-12 teachers outside of the city of Chicago and education support staff, higher education faculty, retired education employees and students preparing to become teachers, statewide.

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