TUCSON, Ariz. — Tucson Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Gabriel Trujillo spoke directly to educators in his district, a couple of weeks ahead of classes both in-person and online, starting again.
"We're supposed to look at this through a public health lens. There are 2,800 employees whose jobs can be performed from home."
That reassurance he gave his educators when prefacing what they should expect this coming academic year.
Trujillo said educators will be provided with personal protective equipment, though he did make a point to mention a concern about how long into the school year supplies will last.
He said enrollment reports suggest a majority of families are opting for distance learning.
"Right now it's 60-percent of our families, are choosing being home and remote learning. 40-percent are choosing on campus."
On standardize testing, Trujillo said lobbyists are petitioning state lawmakers to modify or wave entirely AzMERIT testing this year, a move which he says he supports.
Asked if some students don't wear masks or purposefully pose a threat to anyone else's health, Trujillo said, that would be treated as a disciplinary issue.
"Your administration and your monitors are there to assist. Monitors are there to retrieve kids, escort them to the administrative offices. We've got deans of students, we've got assistant principals that are going to be performing their normal functions."
Should a student test positive for the coronavirus, Trujillo said they will stay home for two weeks, provided distance learning and the Pima County Health Department will investigate contact tracing for any other possible cases.
