Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now strongly recommending all K-12 teachers, students and staff wear face covering regardless of whether they are vaccinated against COVID-19 or not, Arizona public schools can't require them. 

That's because a new law bans public schools from mandating them, and the governor has said the state won’t change its stance. That leaves school districts like Phoenix Elementary, which is starting school next week and serves about 5,500 preschool through eighth grade students, with no other option but to ask people to wear them and hope they do. 

“We need to do what’s right for kids and for this public health emergency and that is to strongly encourage the wearing of masks in schools and so our messaging will continue to be strong amidst the state law," said district spokeswoman Linda Jeffries.

The president of the state’s largest teachers union, the Arizona Education Association, said he supports the new CDC guidance, but recognizes getting everyone on board won't be easy. 

"What educators are concerned about is that districts’ hands are tied and they cannot require masks of their students or their staff regardless of what the spread of COVID becomes in their community," said AEA President Joe Thomas

Currently, the Phoenix Elementary School District's community transmission level is substantial, according to the Maricopa County schools COVID-19 dashboard. 

In effort to mitigate the spread of COVID, the district will require masks inside school buses per a CDC order that requires them on all public transportation. That policy was put in place prior to the CDC announcement and the passage of the new law, Jeffries said. Her district has not had any pushback from the governor’s office, she added. 

The Kyrene School District, which is starting school tomorrow and has high community transmission level, sent a letter to parents on Wednesday masks will be required on their school buses, district vehicles and any transportation contracted by Kyrene.