Howard Fischer/Capitol Media Services

Gov. Doug Ducey and Arizona Department of Health Services Director Cara Christ at a press conference on Oct. 29, 2020.

Arizona Department of Health Services Director Dr. Cara Christ addressed the sudden change in the state's guidance for schools during the COVID-19 pandemic. She said the department heard in weekly meetings with local health officials and the Arizona Department of Education that partners are concerned about the instability that would occur if recommendations to move back to virtual learning were based on a change in a single benchmark — especially in smaller, rural counties. 

“To address this we recommend all schools meet all benchmarks before moving from in-person, hybrid or virtual learning,” Christ said. 

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman said on social media that the Arizona Department of Education did not request or recommend any changes to the school benchmarks. 

When the health department first released its guidance on school reopenings, it held a meeting with reporters to explain the guidelines.

The department updated that document last week to say school leaders should prepare to transition to virtual learning if their county’s three COVID-19 benchmarks are in the red. Previous guidance issued in August only required one benchmark in the red. 

Howard Fischer/Capitol Media Services

Kathy Hoffman at a news conference on July 23, 2020.

But when the most recently changes were made, there was no meeting. Instead, many first learned about the change from a media report.

Gov. Doug Ducey pushed back against criticism that the state was not transparent this time around. 

→ Arizona Department Of Health Services Suddenly Changes Recommendations For Schools

“These guidelines were adjusted at the request of public education leaders in coordination with public health officials and that’s how we will continue to do that and we will be completely transparent,” Ducey said.