Arizona’s Republican Governor Doug Ducey signed an order Tuesday allowing for him to cut off federally-funded COVID monies going to any school that mandates mask for students or shuts down after a coronavirus outbreak, the Associated Press reports.
Ducey’s funding threat, which could amount to $1,800 per student, flies in the face of public health recommendations for people exposed to coronavirus to isolate for days after coming in contact with an infected person.
“Safety recommendations are welcomed and encouraged — mandates that place more stress on students and families aren’t,” Ducey said in a statement. “These grants acknowledge efforts by schools and educators that are following state laws and keeping their classroom doors open for Arizona’s students.”
Along with putting strings on the $163 million of federal grant money, Ducey is also taking $10 million to create a school voucher program that would give parents $7,000 per child if they want to send their children to a school that doesn’t mandate masks.