Combs Education Association

David Nelson

The J.O. Combs Unified School District in San Tan Valley is set to offer in-person classes in less than two weeks. The district’s first attempt to resume these classes was thwarted by an employee sick-out earlier this month.

Employees called out sick because they felt the district was previously moving too fast, said David Nelson, president of the Combs Education Association. 

Current COVID-19 data shows Pinal County, where the district is located, is now on track to meet the public health metrics recommended for school reopenings.

“Part of us (are) glad that we have a decision and that we are following the metrics which is all we were asking for," he said. 

Nelson adds that district has received personal protective equipment and has sent training videos on topics such as cleaning protocols to teachers. 

"Had this been done ahead of time, a lot of this could have been avoided," he said. 

But Nelson is still concerned by some of the district’s plans, such as the board’s commitment to not to close any schools unless health officials call for adjustments at a particular school site. 

Parents can choose to keep their students at home. Teachers will have to teach their in-person and remote students at the same time.

“I made the metaphor that there’s going to be a live TV audience but I’m still producing the TV show," Nelson said. 

The district has sent teachers training on the technology that will make the remote instruction possible, but some teachers are feeling stressed and concerned about how to make it all work, Nelson said.