On Monday, Feb. 14, 2022, masks became optional in some school districts in Arizona. 

Some school districts such as the Chandler Unified School District already allows masks to be optional. This was done at the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year. Other school districts decided to keep masks a requirement as there were still some spikes in cases and absences. Now, as we see a decrease in the number of cases, some school districts such as the Kyrene School District are making the decision to get rid of the mask mandate. Other districts will continue to have this mandate. 

“Schools priorities are about getting the day-to-day work done in educating our kids and trying to get back to a sense of normalcy,” Steve Watson, Maricopa County Schools superintendent told azcentral. Watson is saying that by removing the mandate, students can have some part of a normal school day which is important. Even though cases are still rising, student and staff absences have reduced which is a sign that things are getting better.