KGUN 9 has confirmed the following Tucson school's will be closed on Friday, January 30.
- Davis-Romero Magnet School
- Drachman Montessori
- Gale Elementary
- Hollinger K-8
- Johnson Primary
- Manzo Elementary
- Mary Meredith K-12
- McCorkle K-8
- Oyama Elementary
- Palo Verde High School
- Pistor Middle School
- Pueblo High School
- Roskruge Bilingual K-8
- Sahuaro High School
- Sam Hughes Elementary
- Secrist Middle School
- Tucson High Magnet School
- University High School
- Van Buskirk Elementary
- Warren Elementary
- White Elementary
Southern Arizona’s largest school district is canceling classes for several of their schools this morning.
A Tucson Unified School District Spokesperson said multiple teachers called took personal days Friday, coinciding with a national call for businesses and schools to close in opposition of Immigration enforcement actions in Minnesota.
The President of a Southern Arizona teacher union Tucson Education Association, Jim Byrne, says the district system for substitute teachers showed hundreds of absences.
“As big as our sub pool is, it’s not sure we have an active number of subs who would take that,” he said. “If they hear what the message is, it’s undetermined whether or not they take the job.”
That movement, part of the nationwide “No work. No school. No shopping.” economic blackout planned across the country, is designed to show national opposition to the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection in Minnesota.
Last week, hundreds of Minnesota businesses shut their doors Friday as employers and employees left work or school to join protests following the public.
Byrne says that concerns about immigration enforcement are here in Tucson too.
“Recent operations—last month in December and just last week outside of Drachman [Magnet]—these operations feel very close to our schools. We’ve heard that parents and students don’t feel safe, that they’re pursuing remote options to continue learning,” he said.
While TUSD says teachers aren’t allowed to participate in political activities on-campus or in the classroom, that doesn’t apply when staff is off-campus and off-duty.
—————
Gabriel Trujillo, superintendent for Tucson Unified School District, sent a letter to families Thursday, saying the district is monitoring a high volume of staff absences on Friday, Jan. 30.
While he didn't mention the reason, the announcement coincides with the ICE Out! day of action, a nationwide protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in communities across the country.
Trujillo said the district is sending out the letter so families can be prepared in case their child's school has to close for the day.
"Our primary goal is to keep schools open and to provide a consistent, safe learning environment for our students," the letter said. "However, if we determine that we cannot meet the necessary supervision ratios to ensure student safety, we may be forced to cancel classes."
The letter said preschool and before/after-school programs may also be affected. It said food services will remain available at school sites regardless of the decision.
