TUCSON, Ariz. (KOLD News 13) — A debate is raging in the Tucson Unified School District over potential closures due to spikes in COVID cases.
One of the board members insists that the district has the power to close schools if there are widespread diseases.
The Superintendent of TUSD stands by his statements. The district has no authority. Gabriel Trujillo has said severe staff shortages could close schools, but that is not the case with widespread diseases.
Teachers, students and board member Sadie Shaw want the district to close schools and go remote to control the spread.
This issue resurfaced after Shaw posted a few days ago on her Facebook page that Trujillo’s January 4 information to the board was incorrect.
Trujillo and two board members said the power to close schools is not in the hands of the district.
The Arizona Department of Health Services says it has no authority.
“Whatever is done will not get through ADHD,” a spokesman said.
The Pima County health director emailed Shaw and said he also doesn’t have the authority to close schools. Trujillo says he simply follows state laws.
And state law gives the ADHD director the power to issue an order closing the school because of widespread illness.
“I mean, that’s the beauty of state law, it doesn’t lie. You look at the state law. You have legal language. Regardless of what ADHD talking points are, the law is the law,” Trujillo said.
Trujillo said that “district policy requires that we obtain approval from the Arizona Department of Education if we are to close the school due to a widespread illness.”
A department spokesman said the ADE does not have jurisdiction over school closures “and would refer any other questions about that agency to individual school boards, health officials and/or the governor’s office.”
But the district, Trujillo said, doesn’t have that authority.
“I appreciate the story and I know the story is that we weren’t honest in what we said. And the story just isn’t there. I showed you the law and I stand by my testimony and I’m making it again here today,” Trujillo said.
A spokesman for Gov. Doug Ducey said schools should remain open and “kids belong in the classroom.”
Both Sadie Shaw and Ducey’s spokesman said the law is broad and open to interpretation.
Shaw says the district must be proactive, not reactive, in the interests of public health. She is expected to raise this issue of the school closure at tomorrow’s board meeting.
She said she plans to propose forming a board committee made up of parents, community and staff to analyze these situations and develop consistent policies.
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