DCPS Board asks DeSantis for teacher/staff vaccine priority after recent COVID-19 related deaths

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Deborah Menendez-Holloway, 51, died of COVID-19 on Jan. 11. Menendez-Holloway was a teacher at Arlington Elementary.

Deaurra Nealy, 8, died of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C), a condition linked to COVID-19, on Jan. 16. Nealy was a 2nd-grader at Twin Lakes Academy Elementary.

Jeanne Martin, 56, died of COVID-19 on Jan. 18. Martin was a paraprofessional teacher at Neptune Beach Elementary.

In the wake of their deaths, DCPS Board Chair Elizabeth Andersen wrote a letter dated Jan. 22 to Governor Ron DeSantis and Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran.

“We recognize the many reasons that brick-and-mortar education best serves children and the community at large. We also find ourselves challenged to ensure the health and wellbeing of students and staff as the population in our buildings increases while community spread of the virus rises to new highs. Just this month, we have tragically lost two invaluable educators and a student,” wrote Andersen.

DCPS Letter to DeSantis by ActionNewsJax on Scribd

The letter, written on behalf of the school board, asked DeSantis to include K-12 educators and school-related personnel as a priority in the next phase of COVID-19 vaccine distribution.

“Providing priority access to vaccines for educators and school-related personnel ensures that our staff is healthy and confident to finish off the remainder of the school year in service to our children and communities,” wrote Andersen. “Offering them some relief through the vaccine will not only have a positive impact on the safety and in-person education of our children, but it will also help bolster community confidence in the vaccine, enhance the effectiveness of our workforce, and demonstrate how much our state leaders value the essential role that they play.”

Martin’s husband, John Martin, and their son, Jeremy Martin, told Action News Jax that they feel educators, staff, and students should be prioritized for the vaccine.

“My reaction is that teachers and children should be prioritized! They’re the future of our country!” John Martin said.

“They’re all together at school in these buildings with thousands of students. Whatever silly social distancing they’re trying to do, it’s not working,” said Jeremy Martin.

Action News Jax pressed governor DeSantis for answers.

“Who will be next in the group to receive COVID-19 vaccinations? Will it be teachers? And will you follow CDC guidance?” asked Action News Jax Reporter Robert Grant.

“I haven’t seen [CDC] guidance on it,” said DeSantis. “I did not follow CDC when we put seniors first. CDC recommended to do workers ahead of elderly. The mortality statistics did not bare that out and I felt that you needed to get the vaccine to the folks who were at the greatest risk. As we get beyond that, I think obviously people that are in the workforce are going to be top priorities.”

The governor continued but did not address teacher vaccines directly.

“I feel that they should be protected. Teachers, children,” John Martin said.