Arizona Governor Doug Ducey threw out a date schools could reopen for in-person instruction. That date, August 17, is fast approaching. Now, the Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman says Arizona isn't ready for kids to return to the classroom. Read her statement here.
Hoffman you have failed parents and you have failed Arizona. You have failed as a leader. There is no reason to continue to keep children home for parents who want to send their children to school. School shutdowns have impacted our children's mental health. A new survey says 'nearly two-thirds of the 1,500 teenagers surveyed believe the anxiety associated with the pandemic will have lasting impact on their lives.' And there is no end in sight.
Hoffman is giving no clear guideanceHoffman gives no other guidance for schools to reopen other than 'until the spread of COVID19 is under control.' There's no metric to measure. No date. Nothing concrete. We all get this is a pandemic. But, several pediatricians and other doctors have all said sending children to school is the best idea. Children continue to be in the lowest risk category from this virus. However, as the survey suggests, their mental well-being is at risk long-term. Hoffman isn't even considering that.
It's time to give parents control of their children's own education. Hoffman isn't fit to lead. She's had months to prepare for this moment and has punted. Again.
Clearly, the time has has come for Hoffman to go.