Multiple Tucson Area Districts Defy Ducey, Continue Mask Order

TUCSON, AZ — Tucson Unified, Catalina Foothills and Amphitheater school districts have joined the list of districts in Arizona that will continue enforcing mask requirements.

The districts' decision comes a day after Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey issued an executive order ending enforcement of school mask mandates.

In a statement to Patch, TUSD said it has no plans to change how it has approached the pandemic, in accordance with advice from the Centers for Disease Control and others.

"The Tucson Unified School District will not be changing its requirement for Face Masks/ Face coverings at our schools and on our properties. This is in response to Governor Ducey’s rescinding of a section of Executive Order 2020-51, issued by the Governor in July directing schools to require face masks and Emergency Measure 2020-04, issued by the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) outlining requirements for mask usage in schools."

Elsewhere in the greater Tucson area, Amphitheater Public Schools also announced on Tuesday that it would continue the district's mask requirement.

In a letter to parents, Amphitheater said it would continue with its requirement in order to mitigate COVID-19 spread.

"Today, Gov. Doug Ducey rescinded a portion of an Executive Order (2020-51) that directed schools to require face coverings. The Governor’s action also applies to an Emergency Measure (2020-04) the Arizona Department of Health Services had issued outlining requirements for face coverings in school.

With today’s action, Gov. Ducey and Dr. Cara Christ have given K-12 school districts the right to institute and enforce policies on their own to mitigate against COVID-19 spread, including the use of face coverings.

Amphitheater Public Schools has made the decision to maintain its face covering requirement for students, staff and visitors to Amphitheater Public Schools at least through the end of the school year. Face coverings are one of many important strategies in the mitigation plan the District developed over the past year to keep our schools safe.

The District appreciates your continued support of students, families and staff, and we look forward to finishing this school year strong and healthy."

Catalina Foothills School District will also continue with its mask requirement, telling parents and staff in a letter on Monday night that it will follow the CDC's guidelines in order to ensure the health and safety of students and staff.

"Today Governor Ducey rescinded a section of Executive Order 2020-51, issued in July directing schools to require face masks, and Emergency Measure 2020-04, issued by the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) outlining requirements for mask usage in schools.In the new Executive Order 2021-10, K-12 school districts still maintain the right to institute and enforce policies to mitigate against COVID-19 spread, including the use of masks.In CFSD, our mask requirement remains in place at least through the end of the school year. Masks are and will continue to be an important part of our mitigation plan.Thank you for your continued support of our prevention strategies, which will enable us to finish the school year strong, healthy, and safe."

The districts' statements come after Ducey tweeted out his order on Monday afternoon, saying the requirements were no longer necessary given the way students, staff and parents have handled themselves.

Teachers, families and students have acted responsibly to mitigate the spread of the virus and protect one another, and our school leaders are ready to decide if masks should be required on their campuses. 3/
— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) April" class="redactor-linkify-object">https://twitter.com/dougducey/... 19, 2021

Here's a running list of the school districts in the state of Arizona that still require masks inside schools:

• Scottsdale Unified School District
• Tolleson Union High School District
• Peoria Unified School District
• Phoenix Union High School District
• Mesa Public Schools

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.