Grand Canyon Times

Rep. Walter J. Blackman (R-Snowflake) said that reopening schools in the fall is something that should be considered, despite hot debate surrounding the topic. 

Blackman, who is running for re-election in District 6 along with Brenda Barton — a former state representative — said that schools, colleges and child care facilities cannot stay closed indefinitely, even if that means reopening while COVID-19 is an ongoing challenge. 

Blackman referenced his own son, who had to forego graduation because of the virus, saying that there were many students in a similar position throughout the community. 

While in favor of reopening schools, however, Blackman did agree that there are certain actions that must be taken to ensure that students and staff remain safe. 

“School boards need to establish procedures if students or staff become unwell,” Blackman told Grand Canyon Times. “School administrators need to plan ahead with local health authorities, school health staff and update emergency contact lists.”

There will need to be changes to the way schools normally handle students and staff who are unwell, Blackman said, in order to protect the community. 

“It's vital leadership is proactive in ensuring a procedure for separating sick students and staff from those who are well without creating stigma and a process for informing parents, and consulting with health care providers/health authorities wherever possible,” Blackman said.

Blackman said that the rates of the coronavirus in young children should serve as proof enough that schools should consider reopening. That, paired with the suspected low rate of transmission from children to adults, is yet another reason to reopen in the fall. 

“Policymakers must anticipate that significant numbers of school personnel and children may remain home based on real or perceived risks nevertheless the likelihood that the pandemic will persist into and perhaps well beyond the 2020–21 school year requires policymakers to plan for the reopening of Arizona's schools,” Blackman said.