News

DOE employees on August 18 were notified via email that the deadline for all employees to submit proof of their weekly test results or full COVID-19 vaccination has been extended until Monday, August 30th. HGEA, along with HSTA and UPW, met with Interim Superintendent Keith Hayashi and the Office of Talent Management staff on Wednesday to ask questions and raise concerns regarding the mandate, including but not limited to exemption requests, reasonable accommodations, leave options, access to testing, the tremendous workload for school administrators, and the potential staffing shortages schools will face.

On August 19, the state Board of Education were meeting to hear testimony and presentations from the DOE regarding the reopening of schools. HGEA is advocating that all DOE employees be treated fairly and equitably.

READ: HGEA's BOE testimony regarding reopening of schools

As the number of COVID cases increase in our schools and communities, we are facing a difficult situation of educating our students while also keeping students and staff safe. Every person within our school community — from administrators to teachers to educational assistants to volunteers — are critical in this effort and that takes everyone working together.

We will continue to work together with the other unions to demand answers in order to ensure the best working conditions for our employees and the public services you provide.