J.O. Combs Unified School District
The J.O. Combs Unified School is among school districts no longer requiring masks after a new executive order by Gov. Doug Ducey. But it s still continuing social distancing, increased sanitation and cohorting.
Requiring masks in school was never what Pima Unified School District wanted to do.
But last year, Gov. Doug Ducey and the Arizona Department of Health Services issued orders requiring masks in school districts and charter schools. The rural district in a Republican community in southeastern Arizona had no other choice but to comply. It was a tremendous burden for Pima Unified students and staff, said Superintendent Sean Rickert.
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Several states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Kansas, and Texas have rolled back their masking requirements, putting superintendents and school boards once again on the hot seat on a question that, at least politically, feels un-winnable: Should they hold fast to their own masking protocols in schools?
With states abdicating their role in masking, districts are bearing the full brunt of opinions from resentful parents and fearful teachers. The availability of vaccines for adults and falling rates of the virus have added to the pressure. While public health officials continue to recommend masking, it’s far less clear at what point it will be safe to let guards down more generally.
At least for now.
The governor s abrupt action Monday set off a flurry of emailed letters and robo phone calls to parents advising them of their school s mask policy. Most made it clear masks would be required on campus.
The governor s action also drew sharp criticism from medical professionals who said the governor wrongly characterized his actions as in line with guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The CDC has eased social distancing guidelines for schools (from six feet to three), but it has not rolled back mask recommendations.
Dr. Cadey Harrel, CEO of Agave Community Health & Wellness in Tucson, called Ducey s move dangerously ignorant.