Ducey offers more guidance for in-person learning, upcoming school year

PHOENIX — Gov. Doug Ducey offered Thursday more guidance on the return of in-person learning and the upcoming year for Arizona schools during the coronavirus pandemic.

Ducey unveiled that a plan developed by the Arizona Department of Health Services via executive order will aim to provide flexibility for schools for the 2020-21 academic year.

Details of the Arizona: Open For Learning plan were to be released by Aug. 7, per Ducey’s order.

“Arizona will be open for learning and our priorities are going to be public health and safety,” Ducey said during a press conference. “We are going to make data-driven decisions.”

The Republican governor signed an executive order June 29 delaying the beginning of in-school instruction two weeks until at least Aug. 17, a date he had called aspirational.

Schools can reopen for in-person learning on that date if they follow the guidelines that will be set forth by the state health department.

The decision to reopen will be left up to local school leaders, Ducey said.

Most Arizona schools will start the academic year Aug. 3 with remote-only instruction.

Ducey, who was joined by Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman, did provide some clarity on what will be in the new guidance.

That includes a face covering policy that will require masks to be worn by all educators and students in most situations.

Ducey also made assurances that distance learning will be fully funded and educators will continue to get paid.

“I cannot ask our educators and families to enter this school year, without critical assurances policies and resources to set them up for safety and success,” Hoffman said.

Ducey also announced additional coronavirus relief bill funding to help schools affected by the pandemic.

To qualify for funding, schools will need to provide on-site learning opportunities and support services for students who need somewhere to learn.

Ducey previously allotted about $270 million in coronavirus relief bill funding to increase remote learning options, protect schools against budget shortfalls, increase broadband for students in rural communities and more in preparation for an altered school year.

“This is the greatest challenge to public education in our lifetimes,” Ducey said. “And Arizona has the opportunity to lead the nation.”

The rate of new Arizona coronavirus cases has shown signs of slowing in recent weeks following the implementation of face mask requirements in many areas — including all of Maricopa County — and statewide regulations ordered by Ducey designed to slow the spread of COVID-19.

According to the Associated Press, the seven-day average for newly reported cases fell to 2,750.71 on Wednesday, the lowest point since June 24.

According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, the state’s weekly positive rate for diagnostic PCR tests, which indicates how much the virus is spreading, is on pace to fall for the third consecutive week.

Tune in to The Mike Broomhead Show on KTAR News 92.3 FM at 9:30 a.m. Friday to hear State Health Director Dr. Cara Christ speak on the coronavirus pandemic.

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