Greetings,
The purpose of this E-Mail is to update you on the EP AFT 2020 Biennial Elections.
1. The Election was paused on March 17th upon the recommendation of the Election Committee by the El Paso American Federation of Teacher’s Executive Board based on COVID-19 Pandemic closures.
2. This action was coordinated with both the national American Federation of Teachers and the Texas American Federation of Teachers prior to the decision by the El Paso American Federation of Teacher’s Executive Board.
3. The pause was/is to protect member’s health and safety, comply with District, City and County orders, to ensure an equitable election process with the maximum participation and the monitoring of the election by the Texas AFT Secretary Treasurer within the framework of the El Paso American Federation of Teacher’s Constitution.
4. The El Paso American Federation of Teacher’s Executive Board voted unanimously on March 17th, 2020 to:
“Pause our election process at where it was on Friday, March 13th 2020. That is one week into the three-week nomination process.”
“Restart our election process 30 days after full operational reopening of all EPISD and Canutillo ISD schools at that one-week point.”
5. The El Paso American Federation of Teacher’s Executive Board also specified, “At this point, there are no candidates, because the Election Committee has not met to verify petitions.”
6. The COVID-19 Pandemic in El Paso has lasted much longer than projected or expected by many. There has not been a full operational reopening in either EPISD or Canutillo ISD in the judgement of the El Paso American Federation of Teacher’s Executive Board.
7. Nor, is it safe now in El Paso. The community spread remains unabated with an average of 455 new cases a day over the past 14 days and 1438 under 20 Y.O. new cases during the same period. Now, the virus has mutated and continues to do so. With a more virulent, British mutation on the horizon, possibly followed a second more virulent and lethal British mutation, the outlook for the foreseeable future does not bode well public health wise.
8. El Paso American Federation of Teacher’s Executive Board is establishing a validated data driven rubric for determining the status of a full operational reopening. Remember, the Executive Board is the governing body of the Local, and from whom I take my guidance and direction.
9. The El Paso American Federation of Teacher’s Executive Board voted 11-0-0 to approve the following resolution at 5:33 PM, Thursday, February 4th, 2021. The motion was made by EP AFT High School Vice President, Michael Reese and seconded by EP AFT Executive Vice President, Lisa Schoenbrun after extensive discussion and deliberation. The approved resolution reads:
“In regard to the resumption of the EP AFT 2020 Biennial Election, the Center for Disease Control’s CDC indicators and thresholds for risk of introduction and transmission of COVID-19 in schools matrix will be used as the basis for determining the “full operational reopening of all EPISD and Canutillo ISD schools.”
Meeting the “Lowest risk of transmission in schools” standard will begin the 30-day count. Upon reaching the 30th consecutive day of the “Lowest risk of transmission in schools,” the EP AFT Elections will resume at the stage at which they were paused in March 2020 due to COVID-19 and the risk to members and their families.
The Center for Disease Control’s CDC indicators and thresholds for risk of introduction and transmission of COVID-19 in schools matrix containing the El Paso specific data will be published on a daily basis by the EP AFT President, or the High School Vice President in the event of the EP AFT President’s incapacitation.”
10. The resolution has been reviewed and concurred with by the Texas American Federation of Teacher’s Secretary Treasurer, Ray McMurray. He will also be the Texas American Federation of Teachers officer who will monitor the EP AFT Election and advise and assist the Election Committee and Executive Board.
11. The Center for Disease Control’s CDC indicators and thresholds for risk of introduction and transmission of COVID-19 in schools matrix is below.
In Solidarity,
Ross Moore
President, El Paso AFT.