PHOENIX — As COVID-19 cases rise across Arizona and the United States, there is a renewed push from school districts to mandate masks.
The Centers for Disease Control recommended in July that students, teachers and faculty wear masks in classrooms regardless of their vaccination status.
Masks are a proven tool to limit the spread of COVID-19 and its more spreadable delta variant.
While Gov. Doug Ducey and ADHS have always encouraged people to mask up, Ducey banned school districts from issuing a mandate – calling it a form of “discrimination.”
Because of a 90-day waiting period before the ban becomes effective, legal experts said districts have the latitude to make masks mandatory – at least for now.
Ducey's order becomes effective on September 29.
Here are the school districts that have issued mask mandates:
This list will be updated. Other school districts have recommended masks but have not made them mandatory.
Check your local school district for specific guidelines.
Alhambra Elementary School District
Alhambra Elementary School District officials said face-covering regulations will continue to be enforced on campuses for students, staff and visitors.
Creighton Elementary School District
Creighton Elementary announced that the district will keep enforcing its mask requirement indoors.
The decision affects nine schools in the Phoenix area.
Flagstaff Unified School District
FUSD's governing board voted on August 10 to mandate masks at the start of the school year that begins the following day.
Osborn Elementary School District
Osborn Elementary's board voted to uphold its mask mandate across its seven schools.
The board also asked Superintendent Dr. Michael Robert to create an opt-out option for parents in the future.
Paradise Valley Unified School District
Paradise Valley Unified School District will require face masks indoors from Thursday through Sept. 28.
Phoenix Elementary School District
Phoenix Elementary School District board members voted on August 2 to mandate masks across its schools for the upcoming year.
The decision affects more than 5,000 students across the district’s 14 campuses.
Starting on Thursday, August 5, a face covering will be mandatory indoors for students, staff and visitors.
Phoenix Union High School District
The Phoenix Union High School District, one of the largest school districts in Arizona, started the school year on August 2 with a requirement that all students and staff wear masks.
The school district has about 32,000 students and staff across 22 campuses.
Roosevelt Elementary School District
Roosevelt Elementary's governing board voted on August 3 to require masks.
The district encompasses 19 schools in Phonenix, mainly in the South Mountain Village area.
Tempe Elementary School District
The Tempe Elementary School District "expects universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to K-12 schools while COVID-19 transmission remains high or substantial in our district community," the district announced Aug. 9.
The full mitigation plan can be found here.
Tempe Union High School District
Tempe Union HS District will require masks starting August 17 after a judge ruled that the Arizona ban on mask mandates is not in effect till September 29.
Tucson Unified School District
Tucson Unified's board voted unanimously during an emergency meeting on Wednesday to require that all students and staff wear masks on campus.
Tucson Unified is Tucson's largest school district with 89 schools and approximately 47,000 students.
Washington Elementary School District
Masks were made mandatory across WESD schools after a governing board decision.
The decision affects nearly 23,000 students and staff members across 32 schools.
An opt-out form will be made available and must be signed by a parent or legal guardian.
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