Gov. Ducey open to pushing back in-person learning until after Labor Day, sources say
PHOENIX (KYMA, KECY)-Arizona Governor Doug Ducey is open to the idea of pushing back the start of in-person classes until after Labor Day.
KGUN9 reports the information comes out a day before Gov. Ducey is expected to make an official announcement on the reopening of Arizona schools.
However, sources say school leaders, educators, and public health advocates don't want Gov. Ducey to not rely on a date to reopen schools. They want him to rely on health data.
In a blog, the former director for the Arizona Department of Health Services, Will Humble, suggests some criteria for re-opening K-12 schools. He recommends dealing the starting of in-person instruction until:
- The state sees a 30-day drop in new coronavirus cases
- The community percentage of positive tests drops below 5% for a period of two-weeks
- 80% of case and contact tracing can be completed within 96 hours of testing for a period of two-weeks
- Local hospitals reopen for elective procedures.
KGUN9 reached out to Gov. Ducey's office to see if plans include special criteria. However, they received this response:
“The safety of our students, staff, and educators is our top priority. Our goal is ensuring parents have options and schools have stability while giving them the tools and guidance they need to make data-informed decisions.”
Office of Arizona Governor Doug Ducey
In a recent letter, Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman called on Gov. Ducey to rely on public health data in deciding when students should return to campus.
[RELATED ARTICLE: Arizona school chief says districts should have final say on reopening]
