For Immediate Release

Media Contact for PSBA:
Annette Stevenson, chief communications officer
annette.stevenson@psba.org
717.506.2450 ext. 3315

Media Contact for PSEA:
Chris Lilienthal, assistant director of communications
clilienthal@psea.org
717.255.7134

HARRISBURG, PA (March 13, 2020) – Leaders of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), American Federation of Teachers (AFT), Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators (PASA), Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials (PASBO), Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA), Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA) and the Pennsylvania Principals Association issued the following statement today supporting and praising the decisive actions of Gov. Tom Wolf in ordering the closure of all Pennsylvania schools in order to assist in containing the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus.

The spread of coronavirus across Pennsylvania, the United States, and the globe is unprecedented and has required difficult decisions to be made. The immense challenges presented by this virus have forced difficult and necessary decisions to ensure the health and welfare of the commonwealth’s citizens.

Together, our organizations present unified support and appreciation for the governor’s leadership and actions in safeguarding the health and well-being of Pennsylvania’s students, school staffs and their families and communities.

We agree that this action will create an ability for better social distancing, which helps prevent the spread of the virus, and will provide schools with the opportunity to further address facility cleaning and prepare for instruction going forward, along with other outstanding issues.

Many issues require addressing and the members of our organizations look forward to working together, along with the governor and Department of Education, to address the needs of the schools so that we can ensure the best possible outcomes for our students and each other as citizens of this commonwealth.