#Gov. Cuomo says school reopening plan needs teachers’ backing

Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Thursday that reopening schools will only work with the backing of teachers.

With debates raging over the resumption of classroom learning across the state, Cuomo stressed that a return to buildings will require more than parental support.

“The teachers have to believe the plan makes sense, as well as parents,” he said. “If a teacher doesn’t show up, you don’t have a class.”

Cuomo acknowledged the range of opinion on the fraught issue and said school reopening plans will vary widely across the state.

“Our decisions will be region by region,” he said, noting that upstate parents are more supportive of a return to schools. “You could have different decisions by region.”

The United Federation of Teachers has been working with the Department of Education on reopening plans but has stated that the current model does not go far enough in guaranteeing teacher safety.

The UFT has floated possible strikes and court actions if the city forces a reopening plan the union objects to.

“I talk to some teacher union representatives who say they won’t go back,” Cuomo said. “Others say they are prepared to go back.”

Parental opinion is split among a full-time resumption of classes, remote only, and a blended approach.

Mayor Bill de Blasio has called for a mixed model that would have kids alternate between classroom and distance instruction.