Superintendent Hoffman: My statement on today's Maricopa County Superior Court ruling |
Today, a Maricopa County Superior Court judge ruled GOP lawmakers violated Arizona’s constitution when it passed significant new policies, like a ban on mask mandates, in the state budget this past June.
While there will likely be challenges to the ruling, the Maricopa Superior Court has ruled to affirm our state’s constitutional rules and processes. Since the end of the 2021 Legislative Session and the start of the 2021-2022 school year, our schools have worked tirelessly to prepare for a new and uncertain school year. The Delta variant of COVID-19 remains a threat, particularly to vulnerable students and staff, and those under the age of 12 who are not eligible for a vaccine. It has broken my heart to hear how school operations and communities have been altered by the deaths of unvaccinated staff who sadly succumbed to COVID-19 leaving their routes, classrooms, and positions unfilled.
I firmly stand behind all educators, school leaders, parents, and students taking action to end this public health crisis. My hope is that we can continue this school year without further distraction, and instead focus on meeting our students and teachers where they are right now. By layering mitigation strategies including universal masking to prevent outbreaks, we can focus on the critical work of providing and maintaining in person instruction and accelerating learning for all students.
Sincerely,
Superintendent Kathy Hoffman
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