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Vail Superintendent responds to anti-mask rally

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Posted at 6:03 PM, Apr 28, 2021
and last updated 2021-04-29 10:40:10-04

VAIL, Ariz. (KGUN) — The Superintendent of the Vail Unified School District is speaking out for the first time following Tuesday’s anti-mask rally.

It was a rally that led to the cancellation of the board meeting.

Superintendent John Carruth’s message is clear-- that Wednesday night’s actions were unacceptable.

He says some people who were hoping to attend the meeting were parents with kids within the Vail School District, and that a lot of them were from outside of the county and outside of Vail.

RELATED: Parents rally for Vail School District to drop mask mandate at schools

“Unfortunately a group of people who live outside of our county attempted to take over the Board meeting last night, leaving our actual parents without the opportunity to address the board. This pandemic has taken a toll on all of us, but we cannot let it take our civility. Our students deserve more from us,” said the Superintendent.

Carruth says this experience was frightening for many Board members; something they didn’t think would happen in Vail.

RELATED: Lawyer: Group's attempt to replace Vail board was not legitimate

"Last night was not a good night for the Vail School District...the Vail community, but we can overcome tough things. We know how to do that. We know how to pull together as a community. We’ve done that for years and I expect..fully expect that we’ll be able to that in regards to this issue," he added.

He says open in-person meetings will continue and he hopes to reschedule Tuesday’s canceled meeting for sometime next week. He says it will most likely be set for next Wednesday.

RELATED: Tanque Verde School Board meeting postponed after Vail anti-mask rally

KGUN 9 also learned the Pima County Sheriff’s Department recommended the Tanque Verde Superintendent cancel their district’s Board meeting over safety concerns.

The Superintendent decided to cancel the meeting set to happen Wednesday evening.