MEA asking for flexible school requirements amid coronavirus fears

PHOENIX — The Mesa Education Association Executive Board has asked Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, Superintendant Kathy Hoffman and Director of the Arizona Department of Health Services Dr. Cara Christ to provide “flexibility of requirements” for the school year as the school district deals with coronavirus concerns.

In a Facebook post to the three on Saturday, MEA asked for six updated requirements to ensure the safety and genuine care of its students and staff.

Requirements range from closing schools “to support health officials with their recommended social distancing” to being able to “identify and eliminate barriers for districts so they can pay all staff members while schools are closed.”

On Friday, Mesa Public Schools were set to resume school activities March 16, “with significant precautions in place.” But after further evaluation, the district found Saturday night that closing the schools March 16 until further notice would be the best course of action moving forward. Mesa Public Schools is the largest school district in Arizona.

“We are committed to working with stakeholders, including parents, staff, and city government organizations, to make informative decisions moving forward,” MEA’s post read.

“We are asking for your help in supporting our school districts with the above-mentioned items so they can make the right safety decisions without compromising state compliance policies and statutes.”

Since Thursday, numerous school districts have decided to shut their school doors as coronavirus fears rise.

Most have decided to extend spring break or move to online classes, while others have closed indefinitely. Outside of Mesa Public Schools, Dysart Unified School District was the latest to shut down its schools on Saturday, saying the district will be closed through April 3.

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