Compton schools welcomes back students

By 2UrbanGirls

Contributing Writer

COMPTON — The Compton Unified School District welcomed back some students for in-person instruction March 9, following reopening guidelines and protocols established by federal, state and local agencies.

As the district continues the process of vaccinating teachers and staff, the Compton Education Association continues to levy allegations that the district isn’t doing enough to ensure its members safety.

“We are delighted to be able to resume in-person instruction for all of our students and we have been providing in-person instruction to our most vulnerable students since fall 2020, in full compliance with state and county guidelines,” said Micah Ali, Compton school board president. “Our expanded instruction will likewise be in full compliance with state and county guidelines.”

The Compton Education Association released a statement alleging students are returning to schools with nonworking windows that either do not open or open directly into enclosed buildings, a violation of the guidelines of the California Department of Health ,which recommends that classrooms with inoperable windows have a minimum of high efficiency air purifiers.

“The district will not pay for these air purifiers despite receiving $45 million for COVID relief,” the education association statement said. “This failure to make these purchases puts the health and safety of students and educators at risk. Therefore, the Compton Education Association is currently exploring options on how to meet the safety needs of our students and teachers.”

The association planned a car caravan March 17 in which hundreds of teachers and community members were expected to encircle the school district office at 501 S. Santa Fe St. The caravan was expected to last 90 minutes.

2 Urban Girls is a freelance reporter for Wave Newspapers who covers the Compton and Inglewood areas. She can be reached at 2urbangirls@gmail.com.