Will Gov. Ducey reopen schools based on data or on Donald?

Arizona education Superintendent Kathy Hoffman has been quietly cooperative with Gov. Doug Ducey over the past several months, apparently working together on the best way to reopen the state’s schools.

But as Ducey’s “aspirational” start date of Aug. 17 approaches Hoffman is charting her own path, one that may stray from Ducey’s, which so far has been determined by the wishes of President Donald Trump.

In a letter to Ducey, Hoffman said schools should not reopen until the number of COVID-19 cases shows a steady decline, as does the percentage of positive tests.

She also wanted the governor to guarantee schools full funding if they decide it would be best to hold classes online. The education chief also would like testing availability to be increased and results are reported more swiftly.

Hoffman said in a tweet:

To align with the vision laid out in the Arizona Department of Education’s “Roadmap to Reopening Schools” and ensure educator and student safety, I’ve asked Governor Ducey to include, at a minimum, the following priorities in his upcoming plans to support our school communities:

Trump wants to reopen schools. He and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos have both pushed for full reopening. They say opening schools would not pose a threat to safety.

Trump is threatening to cut the funding of public schools that don’t fully reopen their classrooms in the fall. On Sunday, he told Chris Wallace on FOX News, “Schools have to open. Young people have to go to school. And there’s problems when you don’t go to school, too. And there’s going to be a funding problem . ... We’re not going to give them money if they’re not going to school, if they don’t open their schools.”

It’s not just the threats to cut off funding that worry Republican governors like Ducey. It’s the knowledge that if you go against Trump he will cut you off at the knees. He rewards loyalty, like his commutation of Roger Stone. And he punishes those who don’t bend to his whims. And they are afraid of him. Make no mistake.

Will Ducey base his decisions on reopening Arizona schools on data, as Hoffman suggests, or on Donald.

What would you do, if you were him?

Trump once said in a speech, “Get even with people. If they screw you, screw them back 10 times as hard.”

In his book “The Art of the Comeback,” Trump wrote:

“I believe in an eye for an eye — like the Old Testament says . ... Some of the people who forgot to lift a finger when I needed them, when I was down, they need my help now, and I’m screwing them against the wall. I’m doing a number . ... And I’m having so much fun.” He doesn’t forgive, doesn’t forget. Or, as Trump wrote, “If you do not get even, you are just a schmuck!”

Reach columnist E.J. Montini at ed.montini@arizonarepublic.com.