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Phoenix UHSD Superintendent: Opening Schools Isn't Like Going To Home Depot

The head of the Phoenix Union High School District is reiterating its school year will begin online Aug. 3.

Speaking Saturday on CNN, Superintendent Chad Gestson  responded to comments from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis who recently suggested if people can go to Home Depot, kids can go to schools.

Gestson said, “Not many people are going to Home Depot eight hours a day five days a week. And when we talk about open air, it’s going to be 120 degrees here in Arizona pretty soon. We don’t have many spaces here where we’re going to be able to accommodate many of our students. We have to remember it’s not just about students. We have staff members and those staff members have families and we need to be able to protect our entire community.”   

Gov. Ducey in late June announced the start of in-school instruction for all schools would be delayed until at least August 17th but online instruction may begin sooner.

Phoenix Union High School District will continue distance learning until at least October.

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Tom Maxedon was the host of KJZZ’s Weekend Edition from 2017 to 2024.