ESD’s teachers are beginning vaccinations
By Terry Murry on Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PENDLETON – The InterMountain Education Service District says its member schools are planning teacher vaccination events throughout the region Thursday and Friday. Gov. Kate Brown moved teachers to the front of the vaccination line and pushed senior citizens 65 and older back a rung recently.
“The priorities for educators are elementary and special education,” IMESD Superintendent Mark Mulvihill said. “There is no secret that we’ve been trying to get K-5 back first.”
He explained why the emphasis starts with elementary school students.
“There’s everything from the importance of third-grade reading to getting those kids back and getting them stabilized,” he said. “It’s also a key economic driver. Schools need to be in session for your economy to recover.”
Mulvihill said that teachers whose jobs require them to be in close contact are also prioritized. The vaccination clinics for Umatilla County teachers will be at the Pendleton Convention Center Thursday and at Hermiston High School Friday.
Individual schools are notifying the teachers if they are to take part of this first round of clinics according to Umatilla County Board of Commissioners Chairman George Murdock.
