PEABODY — When it comes to when, where and how educators will get vaccinated, let’s just say it was a long – and rocky – week for Peabody schools.
The turmoil boiled down to one question — has the district entered into a partnership with Peabody-based Pediatric Health Care Associates (PHCA) to administer the vaccine to educators?
The answer depends on who you ask.
The saga began with a statement made by Superintendent Dr. Josh Vadala at the March 2 School Committee special meeting.
“In Peabody, we are in a uniquely better situation than many other communities,” said Vadala. “Pediatric Health will pre-register any educator that has a desire to be vaccinated, so we have over 700 educators pre-registered. As soon as we get the green light, they will get the vaccinations. We are doing everything in our power to get the teachers vaccinated.”
That green light came the next day (March 3) when Gov. Charlie Baker announced that teachers can begin getting the vaccine on Thursday, March 11.
The announcement prompted Vadala to send an email to district employees outlining the detailed process by which Peabody teachers would get the vaccine.
“(Wednesday’s) exciting news from the Governor to allow educators to be eligible for the vaccine is certainly a step in the right direction,” said Vadala. “I am happy to report that our partnership with Pediatric Health Care Associates will result in vaccinations for educators beginning Saturday, March 13th.”
The email went on to provide detailed instructions and information on scheduling vaccination appointments with PHCA, stating “PHCA has begun the scheduling process (and) believes they will be able to schedule everyone on our list within two to three days.”
Not so fast, said PHCA President Managing Physician Dr. Stephen Kanarek, who stated in a Salem News article published online Saturday that PHCA “is no longer working with Peabody schools.”
Kanarek went on to say that, while it was true that PCHA had been in discussions with the district for several weeks, “it never went anywhere because we never registered anyone in our system. We never scheduled any teachers. We never got to that point.”
Vadala was also quoted extensively, saying he “misspoke” and that using the word “pre-registered” was “a poor word choice on my end.”
Vadala’s back-peddling sparked an immediate outcry, prompting the Peabody Federation of Teachers (PFT) to join the fray.
“I know everyone is upset about the issue with the Salem News article on vaccinations,” PFT President Mary Henry said in an email to union members. “Dr. Vadala did not lie to us about the plan, and we are still trying to move forward in good faith with the district. Unfortunately, his statement in the newspaper caused other districts to complain about our plan.”
Henry said she and field representative Nick DiPardo met with Vadala on Friday and that, while Vadala said “the Commonwealth is giving him a hard time about our vaccination plan, he is still working with Pediatric Healthcare and the state officials to try to work things out.”
In a statement issued by Vadala later that same day, he said he has a meeting with PHCA on Monday to discuss the vaccine registration process and that the district is committed to getting educators vaccinated as soon as they are eligible.
He said the confusion began Friday morning when the state expressed concerns with the process Peabody had proposed to register educators.
“We assured the state that teachers would not be entered into any system until Wednesday, March 11, Vadala said. “Anything before that date would be a compliance issue and jeopardize PHCA’s vaccine site.
“I have done my best to keep you updated with the latest information as I receive it. Unfortunately, like many things with the state this year, guidance and directives continue to change. I am committed to advocating for the state to allow us some flexibility to maintain this partnership.”
Henry’s statement also indicated her concerns that “the district seems interested in returning to school whether or not we are vaccinated beforehand,” adding that based on a recent survey the “vast majority” of educators want to be vaccinated prior to returning to the classroom full-time.
“We need to weigh our options and I encourage you to continue to seek vaccinations through CVS now and the state website if you qualify,” Henry said. “The PFT takes this situation seriously, and we are reaching out to anyone and everyone who may be able to help us address this matter quickly.”
Henry said she said she plans to speak at Tuesday’s School Committee meeting and that the union is considering other legal actions “to advocate for our rights.”
Efforts by The Item to reach Vadala; Ted Bettencourt, who is School Committee chairman in addition to being mayor; and PHCA representatives were not successful.
