Many Southwest Valley schools still requiring masks despite governor’s new order

It is important to remember the vaccines were recently opened up and made available to those 16 and over. Many of our attending students are still under 16 and even the 16- to 18-year-olds are just in the middle of the two-shot process.”

Dr. Dennis Runyan, AFUHSD superintendent

SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE

About that mask order: Southwest Valley businesses have a right to enforce policies

By Kelly O’Sullivan
Twitter: @AzNewsmedia

Gov. Doug Ducey rescinded his July 2020 executive order requiring schools to implement face covering policies April 19, but what does that mean for Southwest Valley students, staff and campus visitors?

It depends on the district.

The three main public school districts serving residents in Goodyear and Litchfield Park are leaving their mask requirements in place for now, as are some area charter schools. Here’s a rundown as of April 20:

Agua Fria Union High School District

“The Agua Fria Union High School District will continue the mask-wearing safety protocols when students are on campus and in classrooms for the final few weeks of this school year,” Dr. Dennis Runyan, AFUHSD superintendent, said via email. “This decision is consistent with our expressed position when we reopened schools safely in March.

“It is important to remember the vaccines were recently opened up and made available to those 16 and over. Many of our attending students are still under 16 and even the 16- to 18-year-olds are just in the middle of the two-shot process,” Dr. Runyan said. “We have also been made aware younger people are currently making up the bulk of positive cases. With all of these factors under consideration we feel the summer will allow for a safe review and consideration moving forward.”

State Farm Stadium officials are expected to keep COVID-19 safety protocols, including mask-wearing and social distancing, in place for upcoming graduation ceremonies in May, Dr. Runyan said.

AFUHSD operates five high schools — Agua Fria, Canyon View, Desert Edge, Millennium and Verrado, and two alternative schools — serving 8,700 students in Avondale, Buckeye, Goodyear, Litchfield Park, Waddell and part of Glendale.

Litchfield Elementary School District

Masks are still required at Litchfield Elementary School District’s 11 elementary and five middle schools serving preschool through eighth-grade students in Avondale, Buckeye, Goodyear and Litchfield Park, Superintendent Jodi Gunning said in a letter sent to families Tuesday evening.

“With health and safety as our top priority, and in consultation with Maricopa County Department of Public Health and HealthyVerify, I am writing to inform you that Litchfield Elementary School District will continue the mitigation plan adopted by our Governing Board on Aug. 11, 2020, that requires face coverings to be worn by students, staff members and visitors to school and district facilities,” Superintendent Gunning wrote.

The letter included a series of FAQs, including what face coverings are appropriate, how parents can register children to attend the district’s Digital Learning Academy during the 2021-22 academic year, free meals available to children 18 and younger and mental health services that are available to students.

FAQs also note that teachers’ decisions to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or not are private and will not be disclosed due to HIPAA regulations, reaffirms that families will be notified if their child is exposed to someone who has tested positive for coronavirus, how outbreaks are confirmed and other related questions.

Avondale Elementary School District

Avondale Elementary School District, which serves more than 5,700 preschool through eighth-grader students in Avondale and Goodyear won’t see any changes in the near future.

“Avondale Elementary School District has a board action in place from last fall mandating universal mask wearing,” according to a statement provided by district spokeswoman Kenya Vasquez. “We will continue to require all students and staff to wear face masks while on any of our school campuses and district offices.”

Charter schools

Buckeye-based Odyssey Preparatory Academy will continue requiring masks at its five campuses, including Goodyear, officials announced on the district’s website.

“Odyssey Family of Schools will continue to require mask-wearing on all campuses, this measure will stay in place until the metrics provided by the county guide us otherwise,” reads a statement on the district’s website.

Odyssey serves approximately 3,000 preschool through 12-grade school students.

Independent Newsmedia also reached out to several charter schools in Goodyear and Litchfield Park on the issue.

At Legacy Traditional School in Goodyear, masks are now recommended but no longer required.

“At Legacy, the health and safety of students and staff members is always our top priority. Just as we have adjusted COVID-19 mitigation measures throughout the pandemic depending on evolving conditions, reduced case counts and widespread vaccine uptake have made it possible at this time for our campuses to implement a recommended, but mask-optional policy,” Principal Gina Groat said via email.

“Every family situation varies, and given our strong mitigation plan and high vaccination totals among staff members, we believe parents should have the right to determine if their child wears a mask at school,” she said. “While masks are optional, members of our Legacy - Goodyear community who wish to wear a mask may continue to do so, and we fully encourage mask-wearing while on campus.”

Masks were still required at BASIS Goodyear as of Tuesday, Vice President of Communications Phil Handler said via email.

“Throughout the pandemic, we have partnered with ASU’s public health team, and listened closely to the (Arizona Department of Health Services),” he said. “We continue to do that; we’ve reached out to both, and will communicate with them in the near future. In the meantime, students, teachers and staff on our campuses continue to wear masks.”

As of close of business Tuesday, Independent Newsmedia had not heard back from Good Hearts Trivium East and West in Goodyear, or Crown Charter School in Litchfield Park.

Kelly O’Sullivan can be reached at kosullivan@newszap.com or 760-963-1697.