Letter to Governor Newsom re: vaccine

CITE and CAG sent a letter to Governor Newsom's office urging priority for K-12 Teachers, Administrators, and Classified Employees to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Link to the letter: Letter

Governor Newsom

1303 10th St

Suite 1173

Sacramento, CA 95814

Delivered via email

Re: Vaccination priority for teachers, school administrators and staff

Dear Governor Newsom,

As Executive Director of California IT in Education (CITE), I write to urge your Administration to prioritize the vaccination of K-12 and early education teachers, administrators and staff in order to get our state’s public schools and early learning and care centers fully reopened.

As California prepares for a phased-in vaccination schedule with frontline healthcare workers and congregate care residents and employees in the initial phase, the state should next prioritize K-12 and early education teachers, administrators, and classified employees. This is consistent with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

School closures have had a negative impact on our children, particularly those from lower income families. As you have stated, reopening schools is also a crucial first-step in an economic recovery. One way to expedite school reopening is to ensure the health and safety of the education workforce. Prioritizing educators and school staff is a vital step towards that goal.

CITE and its members stand ready to work with your Administration to ensure a successful, equitable rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination.

If I can provide any additional information, please have your staff contact me.

Sincerely,

Andrea Bennett

Executive Director

California IT in Education

cc:      Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins

            Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon

Dr. Mark Ghaly, Secretary of California Health and Human Services Agency

Dr. Erica Pan, Acting State Health Office