ee a fee ey Hillsborough County = paguiacnccy, Preparing Students for Life December 17, 2020 Office of Governor Ron DeSantis State of Florida ‘The Capitol 4400S, Montoe St “Tallahassee, FL 32300-0001 Dear Governor DeSantis, ‘Congratulations onthe historic day we had with Florida's fist patient, fottine nurse, reesiving a vaccine for COVID- 19. This isa pivotal moment for our sate in response tothe pandemic, and we ae very excited fr Florida's fils "Now that this day has come, it also brags with it perhaps one of your most challenging actions: the state's plan to allocate Pfizer COVID-I9 vaccines. We commend you for identifying and prioritizing long-term care facilities and health care workers forthe fist round ofthe vaccine. We ask you to strongly consider including PreK-12 educators and support professionals inthe next grouping of tose who will ceive the COVID: 19 vaceine in round two, We believe itis imperative that educetors are among the next group to receive the vaccine as they continue to take on rial roles within our ‘communities. As you are aware, each ime one of our education community members contracts COVID-19, i diminishes ‘he quality ofthe education experience for our students and jeopardizes the health and life of ou educational term members. Hillsborough County Public Schools continues to offer an array of innovative leaming Solutions for our students, inclusive ‘of brik and morta, whore our educars and suppoet professionals aren direct contact with tudons ona daily asis. ur direct contact employees include classoom teachers, principals assistant principals, support professionals, bus divers, food support personel, school nurses, coaches, substitute teachers and other school-based personel ‘With tis said, urge you to consider including PreK-12 educators and suppor professionals inthe next round of high-k and high-contct environments who should receive the COVID-19 vaccine, We simply cannot afford for COVID-19 to further impact our educators ives or distupt the learning environment for our students. Thank you for your consideration of his request and for your service othe great sate of Ford With eapet and wishos for your Fai fa>— a ‘Superintendent of Schools ‘School Board Chair good health, Conc ith Us Haruno «0. Bo 2408 «Tarp, FL 3861-408 619) 2724000 ‘Raymond’, Shon non! hamfasateConter ia) Eat anny Bs «Tampa F002 3857|