On October 27th, the governing board of Arizona’s third largest school district, Tucson Unified School District, voted 3-2 to reopen schools to hybrid learning. According to the Pima County Health Department, there are three “benchmarks” which need to be met: a two-week decline in COVID-19 cases, two weeks of percent positivity below 7% and hospital visits for COVID-19 illness below 10%. These benchmarks have been met according to the PCHD. However, the risks of having in-person learning remains ever present as the virus surges in Arizona.

It is not time to reopen Tucson Unified schools for in-person learning.

Members of the governing board cited poor performances on Benchmark scores indicating a “loss of learning” as well as a loss of enrollment totaling 2,500 students as the driving forces for reopening schools. These financial and learning elements are very important, however, so is the safety of our families and staff within TUSD. TUSD has already been a leader in the community for keeping as many people safe as possible by allowing complete online instruction and learning for most of our students and teachers. It needs to stay that way.

COVID cases are rising statewide. There have been reports of the virus being contracted in schools as other smaller districts open for in-person learning in Pima County. The recent outbreak at the University of Arizona poses harm to six TUSD schools that are close to the UA campus. Countless teachers with preexisting conditions are scared for their lives since there are no alternatives but to teach in person. The district has left its teachers in the dark regarding the safety parameters currently in place as well as preventive measures that will be implemented. Why is the district expecting teachers to risk their health (as well as that of their families) with little to no information about how school will look like?

In-person learning via the approved hybrid model will result in even less instructional time. One of the reasons for reopening schools was “loss of learning.” However, an elementary school in the district serving fourth graders is losing a lot of time with students both in person and online when switching to the hybrid model. Since schools have decided to use the early release schedule for in-person instruction, the schedule would cut the follow time with teachers in schools: in-person students will lose one hour and thirty minutes a week with their teacher. Students that choose to stay online will lose five hours and forty minutes with their teacher. The hybrid model will most definitely result in a greater loss of instructional time then staying in the current remote model would.

The economy will recover. Potentially losing lives is not worth it.

Please sign this petition to tell Supt. Trujillo now is not the time reopen schools! #notuntilitssafe!