New ADE Executive Order: School Facilities & In-Person Instruction

Posted Date: 06/30/2020

New Executive Order:

School Facilities & In-Person Instruction

Dear School Leaders,

I am writing to share the Executive Order regarding the upcoming school year that Governor Ducey released earlier this afternoon. This Executive Order delays the start of in-person instruction in school facilities until at least August 17th, but allows for schools to offer distance learning per their regular schedule. Throughout July and August, the Governor and the Arizona Department of Health Services will re-evaluate the status of COVID-19 in our state and make updated recommendations around school facilities accordingly. 

The Arizona Department of Education is working quickly to interpret this new Executive Order, alongside the Executive Order that was released last week, and will be sharing guidance with the field as quickly as possible. Please check our COVID-19 Guidance & Suggestions page for updates and look for e-mails from our agency in the coming days. I also encourage you to review the “Roadmap to Re-opening: Considerations for Leaders” document our agency released earlier this month. 

Thank you all for your partnership in these unprecedented times. I want to acknowledge the challenges we are facing as we make decisions about the new school year, interpret new guidance, and monitor our state’s rapidly-changing public health outlook. I am grateful for your leadership as our school communities navigate this crisis together. 

Sincerely,

Kathy Hoffman, MS, CCC-SLP

Superintendent of Public Instruction