WASHINGTON â Education officials rebuffed Gov. Doug Duceyâs decision this week to lift the mask mandate for state schools, with many districts planning to ignore what they called an âirresponsibleâ decision in a state where COVID-19 cases continue to rise.
âAs soon as the governor released it, right away our locals went and met with superintendents, met with governing boards ⦠almost within a couple of hours, it was, âOf course weâre going to keep the mask mandate, â said Marisol Garcia, vice president of the Arizona Education Association.
Arizona Schools Superintendent Kathy Hoffman was more critical, calling Duceyâs move another in âa long line of decisions that have resulted in Arizonaâs embarrassing response to a virus that has claimed over 17,000 lives and impacted thousands more.â
Education officials rebuffed Gov. Doug Ducey's decision this week to lift the mask mandate for state schools, with many districts planning to ignore what they called an "irresponsible" decision in a state where COVID-19 cases continue to rise.
Gilbert Public Schools teachers and parents are speaking out against the school district’s decision to lay off 152 teachers and other employees for the next school year and the way that it was carried out.
Teachers said they were shocked and upset at the sudden announcement they d be out of their jobs for next year. Students said some of their favorite, irreplaceable teachers were being let go.
And district staff members said it’s only necessary because of declining student numbers during the pandemic and budget parameters.
The district’s governing board heard a presentation from staff outlining the reasons and process for layoffs during its Tuesday night meeting. That was followed by comments from teachers and parents upset about the decision.