PASCO COUNTY, Fla. - Pasco County school employees continue to speak out about concerns with returning to the classroom.

The local union, the United School Employees of Pasco, is filing an injunction against the state about the order to reopen schools.

They would like to see schools return virtually until case numbers go down. 

“We’re not saying we don’t want to go back. We just want to make sure when we do, we’re not putting people in an unsafe situation,” said USEP President Don Peace.

School bus driver Maryann Brini shares those concerns. She sees more than 100 students per day.

“You know you’re putting your life on the line now,” Brini said. “Humidity is high. There’s no air conditioning in the buses. People are going to be sweating, playing with the masks. It’s just not a good situation.”

Land O’ Lakes High School teacher Christine Andersen worries about the potential loss of life among students and staff.

“It’s soul crushing, to be honest. The idea that we’re going to put kids, teachers and bus drivers and everyone else that works in our buildings at risk,” Andersen said.

USEP urged the school board this week to have a virtual start to school. However the superintendent says they are following the state order to reopen. The only action that's been taken is delaying the start date to August 24.

The union doesn’t want staff to return until the cases go down and the percent positive rate drops below 5% in Pasco.