TUSD warns of possible school closures amid staff absences
Tucson Unified warned schools could close due to staff absences as Tucson prepares for a national immigration protest.
Tucson Unified School District warned families Thursday that schools could close Friday due to a surge in staff absences, as community groups and students across Tucson prepare for a national day of protest tied to recent federal immigration enforcement actions.
District Superintendent Dr. Gabriel Trujillo sent a letter to families saying that due to staff absences, the district might need to close schools. He encouraged families to arrange alternative plans for their children as a precaution.
“Our primary goal is to keep schools open and to provide a consistent, safe learning environment for our students. However, if we determine that we cannot meet the necessary supervision ratios to ensure student safety, we may be forced to cancel classes,” Trujillo said in the letter.
Before- and after-school care programs could also be affected, but food service will continue at schools regardless, the letter said.
The Tucson Education Association did not immediately respond to Tucson Spotlight’s request for comment.
The absences are rumored to be tied to a national day of peaceful protests in response to recent ICE actions nationwide and come a little over a week after students at many TUSD schools participated in a nationwide walkout on Jan. 20.
Topacio “Topaz” Servellon
Many other Tucson groups and businesses have also planned events leading up to or coinciding with the protest. The University of Arizona College Democrats are hosting a community meeting on campus Jan. 29 from 5 to 7 p.m.
The club announced the meeting in an Instagram post, stating they will distribute resistance packets containing information about rights and ways to stay safe, along with whistles.
“The main purpose of tonight's meeting is to create signs and ice resistance packets to distribute at tomorrow's protest,” said Cooper Long, the political affairs director for the UA College Democrats. “Additionally, we hope that by holding this event, we will encourage students on campus to attend the protest by building energy beforehand.”
Long emphasized the importance of the protest and the support the UACD is providing.
“UACD was invited to cosponsor the campus protest tomorrow by the main coordinators of the event, and we are very glad to do so,” he said. “We are incredibly upset and disturbed by the violence and inhumanity being carried out throughout our country, and we are ready to wholeheartedly support this protest and the national day of action it’s connected with.”
More than a dozen other local businesses have announced they would close early or remain closed Friday in solidarity with the protest.
Organizers are planning a rally at 2 p.m. outside the Tucson Federal Building at 300 W. Congress Street as part of the national day of action against federal immigration enforcement.
Nya Belcastro is a University of Arizona student and Tucson Spotlight intern. Contact her at nya2005@arizona.edu.
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