More than 800 unvaccinated NYC teachers fired amid statewide shortage
NEW YORK CITY (TND) — More than 800 unvaccinated teachers and classroom aides were reportedly fired recently by the New York City Department of Education (DOE).
NYC DOE requires all staff to provide proof of vaccination. Employees may apply for a Vaccination Mandate Related Exemption, buy they are "reviewed on a case-by-case basis consistent with the law."
Approximately 1,300 NYC educators took unpaid leave last year due to COVID-19 vaccine mandates. They were without pay from Oct. 4, 2021 to Nov. 30, 2021 and were told to show proof of vaccination by Sept. 5 of this year or be "automatically deemed voluntarily resigned from the DOE." They also could not work elsewhere or qualify for unemployment while on leave.
Of the nearly 1,300, only 450 submitted vaccination proof earlier this month, while 850 did not and were ultimately removed from their positions. Those 850 bring the total to just shy of 2,000 NYC educators terminated since the vaccine mandate took effect last October.
This comes amid an ongoing dire teacher shortage in New York State. The New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) estimates NY is going to need more than 180,000 teachers in the next decade, saying the U.S. Department of Education has "identified 18 teacher shortage areas" throughout the state compared to just two a decade ago. Enrollment in the state's teacher education programs has also dropped by 53% since 2009.
According to the New York State Department of Education (NYSED), NYC is struggling with staffing in 17 subject areas, including special education and reading and literacy.
Upon learning of the terminations, Education Commissioner of Florida Manny Diaz Jr. voiced his support for the 850 educators, inviting them to "come on down to the free state of Florida!"
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz called the news "idiotic," and this is not the first time he has defended unvaccinated NYC teachers. Last year, Cruz called out teachers unions for not protecting teachers from being "unjustly fired" ahead of nearly 8,000 educators being removed from their roles.
NYC Mayor Eric Adams, who received a two-year extension of mayoral control over the city's schools in May, has yet to lift the vaccine mandate for city workers.
The National Desk (TND) has reached out to the New York City Department of Education for comment. This story will be updated if a response is received.
