From Crane Superintendent Laurie Doering
March 26, 2021
Dear Crane Families,
We hope you are all enjoying a safe Spring Break. As our commitment to you is to keep you updated on information regarding the pandemic, we’d like to inform you of an Executive Order issued on Thursday, March 25, 2021 by Arizona Governor Ducey. Executive Order 2021-06 (available for review here), relaxes COVID-19 restrictions in the community. The Order limits the authority for cities, towns, and municipalities such as the City of Yuma to mandate mask-wearing.
It does not, however, rescind the order requiring school districts and charter schools to require mask-wearing. Mask-wearing remains a requirement at all Crane Schools, offices, and facilities.
The order that mandates mask-wearing in schools is Executive Order 2020-51 (Arizona: Open for Learning), which states:
All school districts and charter schools shall develop and implement a policy to require face coverings, such as face masks or face shields, for all staff and students over the age of five until the Arizona Department of Health Services determines that face coverings are no longer necessary or recommended to contain the spread of the virus.
Furthermore, the Arizona Department of Education has confirmed that the Arizona Department of Health Services Emergency Measure 2020-04 (Slowing the Spread of COVID-19 in Schools), also remains in place. The Crane Mitigation Plan, available at www.craneschools.org as part of our District COVID-19 Response, details the appropriate and mandatory use of masks and face coverings for all staff members, students, and guests when on Crane campuses, district buildings, and on district buses.
This new Executive Order does not change the state requirement for mask-wearing in schools. Since Governor Ducey’s order yesterday, City of Yuma Mayor Doug Nicholls has also lifted the requirement regarding the mandatory use of face coverings in public spaces within city limits. Again, this does not change the directive that the District must follow as a political subdivision of the State of Arizona.
Though we’ve made great strides to move forward with the availability of vaccines for educators and a decreased trajectory of community transmission in Yuma County, we recognize that we must not be complacent. Therefore, it is our responsibility to continue with the mitigation strategies that will ensure a safe learning environment for our Crane community and make it possible for us to remain open.
As always, I thank you for your shared commitment to the wellbeing of our learning community. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Laurie Doering, Superintendent