The Phoenix Union High School District announced plans this week to ignore state law and mandate masks for all students, staff and visitors, regardless of vaccination status when school starts on August 2. The district claimed an increased spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant was responsible for the mandate.
In a press release, district officials acknowledged the state’s prohibition on mask mandates, but claimed it received feedback from staff, students and families who support the CDC’s masking recommendations.
The CDC’s newest guidance recommends that everyone wear masks, including fully vaccinated individuals.
Earlier this week, Governor Doug Ducey reminded Arizonans that the state does not allow mask mandates in response to the CDC’s updated guidance and called the guidance an example of the Biden Administration’s failure in handling the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We serve nearly 30,000 beautiful young men and women and over 4,000 employees and must take every precaution necessary to protect the lives of those entrusted to us,” the district said despite the fact that there is little evidence that masks protect individuals from the virus.
Sen. Kelly Townsend who fought for the new law, which some say will not go into effect until September 29, has directed legislative counsel “and the Attorney General’s Office to determine the effective date of the law I supported and intend to see enforced.”
“I will continue to give updates as to what action can be taken, as they come in. It is clear we still have an issue with rogue school boards when it comes to forcing masks,” continued Townsend. “I encourage all parents to exercise their statutory authority given to them in A.R.S.1-602, giving them the authority to make medical and educational choices for their child.”
One teacher who asked to remain anonymous, told the ADI that they were concerned about the policy. “My question is how can the district force me, as an agent of the school, to break the law by requiring my students to mask up when they enter the building?
According to the teacher, those staff members “not wearing masks are asked to step into office and talent informed,” meaning admonished for not following the district’s rules.
“Arizona is not anti–mask, we’re anti–mask mandate,” the governor’s spokesman C.J. Karamargin advised the media. “As the governor has often said, mask usage is up to parents. If a parent wants their child to wear a mask at school, they are free to do so. This is not a state decision. Ultimately, this is about personal responsibility and parental choice – something Arizona has long–supported. School administrators should be doing everything they can to encourage eligible students and staff to get vaccinated, not break state law.”
The district’s governing board will discuss the masking policy and other COVID-19 mitigation measures at its August 5 meeting.