In an effort to prevent schools from mandating face masks amid the coronavirus pandemic, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey announced $163 million in grants for district and charter schools that remain open to in-person instruction while abiding by all state laws.
“Parents are in the driver’s seat, and it’s their right to make decisions that best fit the needs of their children,” he said in a statement. “Safety recommendations are welcomed and encouraged — mandates that place more stress on students and families aren’t.”
The announcement was made as several school districts have mandated masks for all students and staff as a Maricopa County Superior Court judge ruled on Monday that schools may enforce mask mandates until at least the end of September.
