Ohio teachers and union leaders called on the U.S. Senate to pass a COVID-19 relief bill immediately on Monday afternoon.
As the U.S. Senate debates what to include in the “HEROES” coronavirus relief package, Scott DiMauro, president of the Ohio Education Association, says Ohio educators need help to reopen schools and keep kids safe.
"We could be seeing devastating job cuts," he says. "We know the bill isn’t perfect, but we need Congress to stop bickering, work together and stand up for the needs of our students."
DiMauro is quick to note that cuts would come at a time when schools need more teachers. He says schools will need more substitute teachers, for when teachers get sick and have to quarantine. They’ll also need more school nurses, more bus drivers and more technology for distance learning.
All of this comes after Gov. DeWine cut $300 million in state funding for education as a result of a loss in state tax revenue due to the pandemic.
