That means only a stay by an appellate court can stop school districts from keeping mask requirements in place. In defending the laws, attorney Patrick Irvine argued that the Legislature has used this procedure for years and that there really is no definition of what is a "reconciliation'' bill. The measure is one of dozens that were tacked on without any hearing to the state budget bill passed by the Legislature and signed by Gov. But data released last week show case numbers are on the rise within SUSD boundaries, and the county upgraded the area from moderate to substantial transmission. "I don't agree with it. Sign up for free today. From a public health point of view and local control point of view, its also hypocritical because he keeps saying hes in favor of school choice. We'd love to hear eyewitness Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, As they have been throughout the country, the districts mask mandate was a polarizing subject in the community. Scottsdale Unified required masks right up to the end of the school year. Share with Us. While we have seen encouraging progress, and more and more people have received the vaccine, COVID remains a concern. I think we should have masks on until this is over with. Share with Us. person will not be tolerated. SUSD will be complying with this federal requirement. That was good for 29th place among states and the District of Columbia. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph. To date, these mitigation strategies have allowed us to welcome back 85% of our students for in-person learning.". And that, she said, means it violates a constitutional requirement that the title of a bill must reflect what's in it. Its worth remembering that a quarter of the people who died in Arizona were not 65-plus and over; in fact, they were middle-aged and younger, he said. Chance of rain 100%.. Cloudy. each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Scottsdale Area Pets Who Need A Home: Meet Gumdrop, George, Lotus & More, Scottsdale Jobs: See Who's Hiring In The Area, Shop The Scottsdale Farmers Market Like A Pro, Info Here. If they do mandate masks, we will be pulling our children out of SUSD, Santiago said before the meeting. Afirst-term Scottsdale legislator convinced colleagues last week to let businesses ignore mask mandates to stem the spread of COVID by arguing that they werent needed decades ago to stop the spread of AIDS. "The issue here is notwhatthe legislature decided buthowit decided what it did,'' she wrote. 28,961 were here. Scottsdale says due to a recent drop in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, residents and visitors wont have to wear masks in public areas. We'd love to hear eyewitness Ducey press aide C.J. Embry Health and Neighborhood Outreach Access to Health also provide free testing. A department spokesman said Scottsdale Police took an education first approach. Instead, they said the legislation is a matter of individual rights. accounts, the history behind an article. Please be patient and kind to staff at our local businesses as they learn and adapt to new procedures. SCOTTSDALE, AZ Scottsdale Unified students will have to don face masks at school, beginning Aug. 20. Don't knowingly lie about anyone Keep it Clean. Recommended Face Coverings Don't Threaten. Relying on individual decisions to keep the spread of COVID-19 in check has not gone well so far, Hart-Wells said. For example, he cited HIV that was going to wipe our global destruction of human bodies with AIDS., We heard about that in the 80s, Chaplik said. "Today, Governor Doug Ducey and the Arizona Department of Health Services have taken action to rescind orders requiring school districts to implement face covering policies," SUSD's letter says. each comment to let us know of abusive posts. You have permission to edit this article. Pre-departure testing is no longer required, but non-U.S. citizens visiting the U.S. must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 unless they meet criteria for an exception. Share with Us. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph. Be Truthful. ", "We all know masking has been very effective in bringing down the number of hospitalizations.". Get tested if youre feeling sick or have been exposed to the virus at free sites throughout the Scottsdale area. Cooper said there are separate constitutional requirements that legislation deal with only a single subject. Chance of rain 100%. The mandates reversal comes as COVID-19 case numbers which had been on the decline could again be on the rise. Scottsdale Unified School District is keeping its mask mandate in effect for now after a Mar. Maricopa County is expected to vote on whether to extend their mandate on Oct. 7. At least one other lawmaker took notice. person will not be tolerated. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Lane signed an emergency proclamation on June 18 requiring mask usage in public spaces where social distancing cannot be maintained, including grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants and bars, gyms, shops, special events and public transit. Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch. Anyone who is in favor of in-person school should support masking, she said, and most people agree that in-person schooling is best for students. SUSD Governing Board President Jann-Michael Greenburg has long been critical of the governors decision last year to punt the mask decision to individual school districts, arguing those decisions are best left to public health officials. Parents opposing mask mandates bombard school districts with sham legal claims Feb. 21, 202202:35 The parents claims were baseless. LaBaer called Duceys decision premature. At the end of a lengthy school board meeting, preceded by a parent protest, board members voted 4-1 in favor of implementing a mask requirement. Threats of harming another Rainfall around a quarter of an inch. A crowd of parents and concerned citizens gathered on the sidewalk outside of the district's Mohave Annex Tuesday evening, waving American flags and holding signs that shared messages such as, "masks = fake science," and "I do not coparent with SUSD's governing board.". Apple Pay, Venmo, PayPal One Touch, etc.) Follow her on Twitter, @CorinneMurdock or email tips to corinnejournalist@gmail.com. Scottsdale was one of the first cities in the state to adopt a mandate in June after Governor Doug Ducey issued an order allowing them to put their own mask requirements in place. Watch a non-stop stream of breaking news, live events and stories across the nation. The mask debate is picking up again, this time in Scottsdale. "Last night our governing board members voted unanimously to require masks throughout the district. That data which does not measure vaccinations within school district boundaries shows 62.3 percent of eligible Scottsdale residents and 57.3 percent of the citys total population are fully vaccinated. Attorney General Mark Brnovich filed an appeal to uphold four bills that were also shot down in the ruling of the state's attempted ban on mask mandates. SUSD officials responded that the description was part of a standard waiver form that wasnt tailored for SUSD use, and that the screener wouldnt acquire any of the information listed on the description. Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. They know its harmful they being (state health) director Cara Christ and Governor Ducey. Corinne Murdock is a contributing reporter for AZ Free News. Be Proactive. Keep it Clean. that is degrading to another person. In her free time, she works on her books and podcasts. "The Legislature is given a lot of discretion, a lot of wiggle room.''. It also sends a message to lawmakers that they can no longer use the practice of piling apparently unrelated issues into bills in an effort to corral the votes for the entire package. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph. High 61F. We'd love to hear eyewitness This latest announcement comes on the heels of another controversial act undertaken by SUSD. In a letter sent to parents and staff, SUSD's leadership team said its decision stemmed from the district's belief in following the Centers for Disease Control's advice on preventing the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. All Inclusive! ", "I'm happy to hear that. In the wake of the decision, crowds have flooded back to Old Town Scottsdale, where social media posts show maskless throngs of young people have filled many clubs in the area to pre-pandemic levels. Chance of rain 100%. There hasnt been any enforcement to speak of so when it comes to bars, restaurants and nightclubsI dont think there is going to be an explosive impact, he said. In Scottsdale, new cases per 100,000 residents and positive new test results were up recently in three of the citys 10 ZIP codes, according to Maricopa County. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, Your health is the highest priority at Scottdale-area airports, from the moment you land until you depart for home. Tag your photos to share your Scottsdale stories. Police Search For Murder Suspect + Students Ill, Pesticide Contact, Local Dive With 'Killer Pizza' + Ukraine Refugees Reflect On Move, Tesla Crashes & Catches Fire Twice In Scottsdale + New Memorial, Social Security Seminar on March 8th and 9th at Eagles Community Center. Use the 'Report' link on Now, she said, the use of hospital and intensive-care beds is way down, and Christ said many of the people who are most at risk, meaning the elderly, already have been vaccinated. COVID-19 Testing He said the same is true in places like Mississippi and Georgia. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph. Though Greenburg has long said districts are not the best bodies to craft those mask policies, he was still critical of last month's move by the legislature and governor. Don't Threaten. See my statement on the updated CDC guidance: https://t.co/YubNffZpq5 Doug Ducey (@dougducey) July 27, 2021 Humble said he believes an increase in cases will likely be driven by new COVID-19 variants. https://twitter.com/AmandaWray/status/1418735083767300101. Scottsdale lawmaker: Masks werent needed for AIDS, By Howard Fischer, Capitol Media Services. Scottsdale Unified officials cited the ruling in announcing that "SUSD will continue to require masks for students and staff while indoors on our campuses and other district facilities until at least two weeks" after fall break, which runs Oct. 11-15. I think in the end, were going to have another event in the next 50 to 100 years, or even sooner depending on these variants, and if the answer is that the state government is going to just do nothing about it, and local government officials cant do anything about it like school districts, I think itll just make the situation much worse, Greenburg said. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Put distance between yourself and other people, at least 6 feet. Today was the date that Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Randall Warner in August determined was the effective date for the ban. Businesses will stay open. Last week, Lane told the Progress he was dropping the expiration date from the order. Arizona does not allow mask mandates, vaccine mandates, vaccine passports or discrimination in schools based on who is or isnt vaccinated. or anything. Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane issued an emergency proclamation requiring individuals age 6 or older to wear face coverings in public. The city of Scottsdale has dropped its mask mandate, but Maricopa County's is still in place, resulting in two valley hospital systems to come out and say they oppose Scottsdale's decision. High 61F. Keep it Clean. The COVID-19 vaccine is widely available in the community. Several protesting parents stressed the struggle Scottsdale's youngest students face learning phonics and socializing when they cant see the faces of their teachers or their peers. We will continue to exercise caution. As we work toward that and as we are encouraged by the current trends, we are not there yet. Hawaii, Oregon, New Mexico, Illinois, Washington and Washington DC have kept most mask requirements in place, though some of those rules are likely to expire within the next several weeks. Solem believes that the district already has plenty of good mitigation strategies in place, without a mask requirement. Those lawmakers included Sens. Never miss an issue. SUSD is prohibited by Arizona law (A.R.S. Sign up for free today. Now, theyre saying no, school districts cant be making that decision at all; it is the health officials, Greenburg said. "Together these requirements promote transparency and the public's access to information about legislative action,'' she wrote. Face coverings still are required in most public places in Scottsdale due to Maricopa County's mask mandate. Though Ducey took away the power to impose mask mandates, Scottsdales will remain in effect in city buildings and facilities for the foreseeable future, according to a statement issued by the city. T he coronavirus pandemic remained front and center when Scottsdales new council members were sworn into office on Jan. 12. The legislation prohibited schools from requiring masks during school hours or on any school property. For more information on preventing the spread of COVID-19, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Maricopa County Department of Public Health and Arizona Department of Health Services. Health & Safety Protocols in Scottsdale, AZ | Official Travel Site This is a blanket violation of our constitutional rights and civil liberties.. Don't Threaten. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. 15-342.05) from requiring students to be vaccinated against COVID. I wish more places would lift the mask mandate.". Sign up for free today. The Legislatures approval of the ban on mandates was split along party lines and drew support from no Democratic representative or senator, including the all-Democrat LD 24 delegation made up of Sen. Lela Alston and Reps. Amish Shah and Jennifer Longdon, who represent southern Scottsdale. "We had certainly hoped to be in a different position with the pandemic by this point in time, but our community continues to struggle with it. person will not be tolerated. Chance of rain 100%. This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience possible. If you are in need of a COVID-19 test while in Scottsdale, most pharmacies and grocery stores offer free testing; the Arizona Department of Health Services maintains a list of such sites. LaBaer said that means there is still a need to practice mitigation, including mask wearing and avoiding crowds. The legislation prohibited schools from requiring masks during school hours Share with Us. The city's Mayor Jim Lane issued a proclamation rescinding the city's face covering order, which went into effect in June. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph. SCOTTSDALE, AZ Scottsdale Unified School District joined others in the state in continuing with its mask mandate, in spite of Gov. Data obtained by the Progress show police issued just three citations for mask mandate violations between June 18, 2020, the day Scottsdales mask mandate took effect - and March 14. Be Nice. Kids cant manage to keep a mask clean, she said. Protester and Scottsdale Unified parent Sara Solem said that her 8-year-old child was in tears when the family learned that the district was considering reinstating a mask mandate. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. You matter to us. The original order was set to expire on July 20 before Lane extended it through Aug. 20. Doug Ducey's executive order ending enforcement of the measure. Noting there are about 610,000 children under 12 in Arizona who are not eligible for a vaccine, Harrell said the Legislatures decision puts them in harms way., And thats unacceptable, she said. Solem is one of the ambassadors for the Facebook Group SUSD Can, an advocacy group of Scottsdale Unified parents that formed last year. Despite that, some did get sick, forcing the closure of the store. Chaplik went on to tell colleagues to look at whats happening elsewhere to disprove the claims that masks help prevent the spread of the virus. "Accordingly, it is the expectation that students and staff will continue to wear masks while on school property, with the previously noted exceptions for recess and physical education, in order to ensure we end the school year strong and in-person.". Rates are lower for other cities that feed into SUSD, including Tempe, where 48.7 percent of eligible residents are fully vaccinated slightly higher than Phoenixs 45.4 percent, according to data released last week by the county. each comment to let us know of abusive posts. SUSD claimed that this order not only applied to public school transportation but private schools as well. Rep. Diego Rodriguez, D-Phoenix, said Chaplik is wrong in arguing that mask mandates are an example of government overreach. This bill is simply about not making 16-year-old waiters and waitresses police officers enforcing a criminal mask statute, he said. Rep. Travis Grantham, R-Gilbert, echoed that sentiment. The bill gives business owners the right to make a decision.. Scottsdale made the decision with the decline of infection and hospitalization rates in the county. Typically comments during a public hearing are limited to the topic of the public hearing. The violators are given a verbal warning and an opportunity to comply with the law. Her older two children wore masks while attending district schools last year, and they don't want to go back, she said. School board member Libby Hart-Wells, who called for the special Tuesday night meeting to vote on a mask requirement, said she believes the entire Scottsdale Unified community wants the same thing: for kids to continue attending school in person. While both the Maricopa County and Scottsdale mandates require individuals to wear masks in most public spaces, the orders differ in enforcement. Ensuring a healthy and safe school environment for students and staff remains our goal, Menzel said. Don't Threaten. On the same day of SUSDs announcement, Ducey doubled downon the assertion that there wouldnt be any mask mandates in schools. One of the most polarizing issues in Scottsdale Unified and most other school districts likely wont be going away any time soon after a judge ruled the ban on mask mandates and a slew of other measures passed by Republican legislators unconstitutional. WebStay up to date with boosters, as eligible. Well, this definitely takes away choice from parents," Humble said, adding: "Theres no district in the whole state where they can take their kid especially one who is immunocompromised thats going to have assurances that the faculty and students are going to be wearing masks.. Periods of rain early. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Doug Ducey June 30. Periods of rain early. Individuals who refuse to comply with the Scottsdale order can be charged with a misdemeanor, which can carry a fine of up to $2,500 and a sentence of up to six months in jail. It also showed that percent positivity on COVID-19 tests increased from 3.33 percent from June 20 to 26 to 5.42 percent from June 27 to July 3. The case before Cooper involved a challenge filed by a coalition of educators, school board members, child welfare advocates to the way the ban on mandates was passed by the Legislature. Ugenti-Rita accused SUSD of siding with the Biden Administration and socialism by imposing an unauthorized mask mandate. Scottsdale is not the only area district where there is a mask mandate to keep it. ], https://twitter.com/MichelleUgenti/status/1418748330964779012. ( Scottsdale Patch) Neiman Marcus in Scottsdale The district cut off those parents, who called in to make their comments since the meeting was closed to the public and only viewable via YouTube. However, unvaccinated people will still be required to wear masks indoors, the governor wrote. Scottsdale became one of the first cities in the state to act on that authority and reduce the number of students having to quarantine," the district said. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph. When considering only those age 18 and older, that number in Arizona rose to 62.2 percent, according to an analysis from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Don't knowingly lie about anyone Share with Us. In addition to the mandate ban, Cooper also voided a host of other laws approved by the Legislature that ranged from requirements for anti-fraud measures for ballots and prohibitions against cities and town from requiring face coverings or imposing curfews to banning proof of vaccination to attend universities or community colleges and limits on teaching what lawmakers have incorrectly referred to as "critical race theory.''. Kelly Townsend of Mesa and Michelle Ugenti Airport Safety Protocols that is degrading to another person. In a blistering opinion Monday, Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Katherine Cooper voided the ban on mask and vaccine mandates along with a number of other measures Republicans had tacked onto the state budget bill with no hearings in the waning days of the session. Be Proactive. "Both state that school districts should continue to implement mitigation strategies as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). accounts, the history behind an article. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. From campus-style resorts to a lush Sonoran Desert landscape thats ripe for exploration, Scottsdale is the ideal choice if youre looking for a getaway that allows you room to roam. Cobb and her two district colleagues had joined the Mohave County Board of Supervisors in sending a letter to the governor in May of last year that demanded he lift restrictions on businesses. From my position, there are no biomedical indicators that would suggest that now is a good time to reduce mitigation efforts, he said, adding: I think from the current position where were at, roughly at least half of our population is still either not vaccinated or has never had COVID-19, so they remain at risk of COVID-19 infection, and we know that the incidents of bad outcomes is still high.. There will be no mask mandates, said Ducey. Use the 'Report' link on TUCSON, AZ Face masks will no longer be required in public places in Pima County, after Feb. 28. Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. Chance of rain 100%. Briana Santiago has three children attending Scottsdale Unified schools, one each in sixth grade, third grade and kindergarten. I strongly encourage every Arizonan who is eligible for the vaccine to get it so they can protect themselves and our whole state., https://twitter.com/dougducey/status/1418617995824222210. Threats of harming another Don't knowingly lie about anyone In both Scottsdale and Maricopa County, enforcing the mask mandate will be left up to local police and the method of enforcement will take an educational approach. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph. State Senator Michelle Ugenti-Rita (R-Scottsdale) responded to parents concerned over SUSDs decision to break state law with a mask mandate. Maricopa County supervisors adopted a similar mandate countywide the next day. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph. As AZ Free News reportedon Thursday, SUSD offered to send students an emotional health and wellness screening that asked for personal information, medical history or information, mental health history or information, quality of home and interpersonal relationship information, student biometric information, gun or ammunition ownership, and any relatives illegal, antisocial, or self-incriminating behaviors. There are no travel restrictions or quarantine requirements in Arizona. 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