Wednesday marks the first day of school for Chandler Unified School District students. 

CUSD families and staff can expect COVID-19 mitigation strategies to remain in place this school year. Those strategies include social distancing by 3 feet or more whenever feasible, small group instruction, contact tracing and quarantine. The district will impose stricter measures if it sees a rise of COVID-19 cases at school sites.

“We just want parents to know we have very strong mitigation plans in place and we’re gonna stick with them," said district spokesman Terry Locke.

Face coverings, however, will be optional. That’s in compliance with a new law included in the state’s budget. 

High school biology teacher and Chandler Education Association President Katie Nash has heard mixed reactions from educators on this policy. 

“People are supportive and are like, ‘Yay, we don’t have masks, I can see my kids’ faces again,’ and then we’ve got some folks who are legit panicking," she said. 

Nash and other teachers are also worried about whether the governor will take away public schools’ ability to quarantine students with COVID symptoms. The governor's office and the Peoria and Catalina Foothills school districts are currently debating whether quarantine policies are allowed or violate a new law passed under the state's budget.