This article has been updated to include the TUSD schools that will be closed Friday.
Several schools in the Tucson Unified District will be closed tomorrow due to a high number of absent staff participating in a national shutdown effort against immigration enforcement.
The following schools will be closed:
+ Davis-Romero Magnet School + Drachman Montessori + Gale Elementary + Hollinger K-8 + Johnson Primary + Manzo Elementary + Mary Meredith K-12 + McCorkle K-8 + Oyama Elementary + Palo Verde High School + Pistor Middle School + Pueblo High School + Roskruge Bilingual K-8 + Sahuaro High School + Sam Hughes Elementary + Secrist Middle School + Tucson High Magnet School + University High School + Van Buskirk Elementary + Warren Elementary + White Elementary
In an email sent Thursday morning, superintendent Gabriel Trujillo suggested that families adjust their childcare plans in the case of school closures.
Jim Byrne is the president of the Tucson Education Association, a labor union representing district teachers. He said most participating employees are planning to call out sick or take a personal day off, but that the absences are not a coordinated effort nor are they associated with the union.
“What we heard from TEA membership who responded to the survey is they’re interested in supporting what’s going on and also having some kind of outlet to communicate to elected representatives,” he said.
Some respondents to the union-issued survey said they planned to wear blue clothing in solidarity with Minneapolis. Others said they would not be participating in any way, Byrne said.
Byrne said the union and those participating in the callouts have a greater concern in mind: “We need our superintendent to reissue the letter to families about what TUSD policy is should immigration enforcement come to our campuses.”
The union also calls on the district to review protocols, collect attendance data and testimonies from families who are afraid to come to school and to provide counselors that can help with potential traumatic experiences.
Student groups at the University of Arizona have planned an anti-ICE protest at 1 p.m. on the UA Mall tomorrow which will ultimately convene at the citywide rally downtown.
The Sunnyside and Catalina Foothills Schools Districts plan on remaining open as usual.
