On Sept. 7, 2020, the DOE announced that staff at 21 schools would continue to work remotely as of Sept. 8, due to concerns about ventilation in their school buildings.

In response, UFT President Michael Mulgrew issued the following statement: 

Keeping everyone safe is our top priority. Inspections by the DOE and the UFT identified these serious ventilation issues, and we will continue to monitor these buildings and other schools to make sure all ventilation problems are solved. Where repairs and upgrades cannot be made, we will work with the DOE to help find alternative space before students return Sept 21.