By Maria Polletta and Lily Altavena | Arizona Republic
Gov. Doug Ducey is working with education leaders to develop an “aspirational” plan to get Arizona kids safely back in classrooms later this year, he said during a Wednesday news conference.
“We are thinking ahead of what is next,” he said, praising Arizonans’ handling of the state’s phased reopening so far. “Our goal is: We want to open up summers camps, schools and youth activities. … It is responsible and prudent to plan ahead.”
The Republican leader stressed that he would consider input from school leaders and the broader “education community” going forward.
K-12 schools have been closed for in-person classes since March to help curb the spread of COVID-19, with officials mandating schools offer alternative learning formats.
The state Department of Education has convened a task force to prepare for safe school openings, assuming classes resume as expected in July and August. But what those preparations may look like remains unclear — the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention hasn’t released detailed guidance yet, either.
