Local leaders came together Friday to call on the city to delay moving forward with in-person classes for students. 

City Council member and Chair of the Education Committee Mark Treyger held a virtual conference. 

"Educators in this country have died for their students. Educators are first responders to many challenges in our community. When educators are speaking up right now, they're defending their kids,” said Treyger. 

Treyger says more than 80 educators in the city have died from the coronavirus. He was joined by other Council members, and the Teachers Union also called on Mayor Bill de Blasio to delay in-person classes. 

They say there isn’t enough money in the budget to cover the cost of disinfecting schools every night. They believe many schools lack proper ventilation and they’re also scared that teachers and students won’t have what they need to stop the spread. 

Treyger also spoke out against plans to have a nurse in each school, saying nurses should not be pulled from hospitals where they are needed. 

News 12 reached out to the mayor’s office and Department of Education about these concerns and is waiting to hear back.