Cy-Fair ISD employees will be required to attend in-person professional development again starting Tuesday, Aug. 18, after the Texas Supreme Court granted the district's appeal to suspend a temporary restraining order filed by the Cy-Fair American Federation of Teachers late last week, according to an email sent to CFISD employees on Aug. 17.
Attorney General Ken Paxton said in an Aug. 18 statement the Harris County District Court did not have the authority to grant Cy-Fair American Federation of Teachers a temporary restraining order.
“Friday was supposed to mark the return to campus for Cy-Fair teachers and staff who were preparing to start the new school year and welcome back kids, until a trial court unlawfully ordered the campus shut down at the request of a teachers’ union. The trial court’s order exceeds its jurisdiction and grants relief contrary to the laws of Texas,” Paxton said. “Teachers’ unions have no authority to override the decisions of schools administrators about how to return to school safely.”
Elements of the case are still pending, and future updates will be provided as the story develops.
Originally posted at 10:36 a.m. on Aug. 17
On Aug. 14, a Harris County District Court judge granted Cy-Fair American Federation of Teachers a temporary restraining order stating that Cy-Fair ISD teachers do not have to be on campuses prior to Sept. 7 following pushback on the district's in-person professional development policy.
District officials have filed an appeal before the Texas Supreme Court, which is pending as of Aug. 16.
In the meantime, teachers and other staff previously required to attend in-person professional development have the option to take part in sessions remotely from home, according to an email sent to district staff Aug. 16.
“This is a win for safety, health and common sense," Cy-Fair AFT President Nikki Cowart said in a press release following the granting of the order. "It was unsafe to require teachers to come to school campuses for professional development and new teacher orientation—programs that can take place virtually.”
Professional development kicked off Aug. 14 and is slated to run through Sept. 4 leading up to the first day of school, Sept. 8.
When contacted for comment, district officials said would not speak on pending litigation.
Superintendent Mark Henry tweeted his support for district employees Aug. 15 as dozens of district employees claiming they want to work from campuses used the hashtag "#aftdoesntspeakforme."
CFISD family, this is a tough time for CFISD and all of our school districts. I know that we all are searching for the best way to deal with this difficult issue. I appreciate AFT, ATPE, TSTA and all of our employees. We’ve enjoyed a great relationship for nine plus years...1/2
— Mark Henry (@SuptMarkHenry) August 16, 2020
...let’s pull together and make this dilemma an opportunity to show how we can figure this out. We are working now on some additional accommodations to help keep our staff safe while serving our students. This is where I’m going to live the rest of my life. We’ve got this!2/2
— Mark Henry (@SuptMarkHenry) August 16, 2020
