Equity Takes Priority Over the Health of Our Children and Teachers

Candidate for Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction, Shiry Sapir, responds to a recent article in The Daily Caller referencing a Wall Street Journal report citing data from the Department of Education indicating school districts had spent approximately 7% of the $122 billion allocated by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) signed into law by President Biden on March 11, 2021.

ARPA enacted one of the largest economic relief programs in U.S. history. These federal funds allocated to public school districts across America were misdirected. Instead of using them for COVID-19 response, many school districts used them for non-remediation items such as equity programs and playground equipment that had nothing to do with keeping our schools open and our children and teachers healthy and safe.

As the summer comes to an end and schools begin to open, some parts of the country are putting masks back on our children. This is unacceptable especially considering the fact that these schools used ARPA monies prioritizing equity learning over a healthy environment for our students and teachers.

“One of the wealthiest school systems in the U.S. unveiled plans to reallocate COVID-19 relief money to promote ‘equity’ programs and a ‘welcoming’ and ‘culturally responsive’ student learning environment, according to the district’s website.”

Longstanding data on how to remediate viral load in a school setting, can be drawn out from comprehensive studies by UC Davis and the CDC. Using available technologies, such as advanced rooftop control (ARC) systems, that act to make indoor air quality safer and healthier by sensing CO2 levels in classrooms and other indoor spaces can automatically allow fresh, outdoor air to be drawn in and displace stale high CO2 air and other airborne particles. Research by Harvard and UC Davis demonstrate lower CO2 levels using ARC reduce contagion levels and increase academic performance by student as well as reduce sick days.

Last July (2021), just months after ARPA was signed by President Biden, the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) adopted an amendment creating a pilot program that initiated advanced rooftop control systems technology in our public schools. The pilot program would use this technology installed in the APS service area, in K-12 schools, including Title 1A schools and 501(C)(3) organizations that serve the homeless. It is intended to make the Indoor Air Quality safer and healthier for both students, faculty, and staff.

The Advanced Rooftop Control Pilot Program included three components:

1. Variable Frequency Drive (“VFD”) – controls speed of fan blower to reduce hard startups that consume the most KWH.

2. An outside air economizer, (allows fresh air into the conditioned space), and controlled by an Energy Management System.

3. Energy Management Systems (“EMS”) which networks CO2 sensing wireless thermostats and permits automatic temperature setbacks during low occupancy and allows differentiated and automatic control of each thermostat based on the activity for each air-conditioned space.

If we do not want to experience another shutdown or removal of our children in the classroom, we should demand a responsible use of these monies to ensure our children have a healthy and safe environment to learn without a forced agenda prioritizing equity and inclusion.

“This is not a matter of funding, rather, it is a matter of the proper application of funds. When I’m elected to the office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, I will prioritize the use of funds to be applied to programs such as these.”

God Bless,

Shiry Sapir

Candidate for Superintendent of Public Instruction