A private school in South Florida faces criticism after stating that it will not hire teachers who have received the COVID-19 vaccine.
“It is our policy, to the extent possible, not to employ anyone who has taken the experimental COVID-19 injection until further information is known,” the Centner Academy in Miami wrote in an email.
According to reports, the email spread myths about the vaccine’s possible dangers without referencing scientific proof.
“We know not everyone agrees on this topic,” the email continued, “but this is our philosophy at Centner Academy, one in which many of our teachers and parents share.”
“Please remember, this shot is an experimental drug, and you are part of the experiment, which I am fine with,” wrote Leila Centner, the academy’s co-founder, in a text message to staffers. “The problem that I have is I do not want to be part of the experiment.”
Joshua Hills, a parent whose children attend the school and works there, spoke with 7News.
According to Hills, staff members who were vaccinated on or before April 21 are allowed to continue working at the academy.
Those who received their vaccinations after April 21 are asked not to return to campus.
“We’re asking them not to come back to school only because we don’t know what the side effects could be and how it could affect our student body and our population,” he said. “Because there’s so many unknowns and there’s been new information daily that’s kind of coming up that shows adverse effects and, we again, just want to err on the side of caution.”
The United Teachers of Dade Union President Karla Hernandez Mats sent a statement to 7News in response to the email allegations, “These schools not only teach misinformation and peddle propaganda, they punish teachers who try to protect themselves and their families. We are horrified by the unsafe conditions and labor violations that colleagues at schools such as this one have to endure.”
According to the academy’s website, they have chosen to be a vaccine-free school.
“I beg anyone who is thinking to get the shot to hold off,” Centner writes in another email.
