Gov. Laura Kelly announced Tuesday that school buildings across the state of Kansas must be closed for the duration of this school due to COVID-19, according to a press release from the Kansas Department of Education.
“We know that closing our schools causes significant challenges to Kansas families,” Ark City USD 470 Superintend Ron Ballard said in a statement Tuesday. “USD 470 is committed to continuous learning while maintaining health and safety as the top priority.
“We also recognize the emotional impact on students and staff members who were looking forward to completing this school year together in person.”
Ballard said all USD 470 employees will continue to get paid.
“As a reminder, this school closure is in response to the current public health crisis,” Ballard wrote. “The focus should remain on limiting the spread of COVID-19.”
The Kansas Department of Education said it is working on ways to continue learning via a 25-member task force. It will deliver its recommendations to Kansas Education Commissioner Dr. Randy Watson by Wednesday evening.
All sports and activitiesGob have been canceled for the rest of the semester.
“We understand the tremendous hardship on our families and staff and impact the social and emotional well-being of our students,” Winfield USD 465 Superintendent Dr. Nathan Reed said in a statement. “Our leaders and board of education are also working on other critical issues, such as what this means for our seniors and graduation, how this will affect the next school year, and what impact this will have on our employees. We will provide updates on these issues as soon as the information is available.”
Both Ark City and Winfield school districts have said they are also exploring continuous learning plans.
The full press release from KDE can be read below:
TOPEKA — Unprecedented circumstances that threaten the safety of our students and the professionals who work with them every day require swift, thoughtful and coordinated action. On Tuesday, March 17, Gov. Laura Kelly announced that school buildings across the state must be closed for the duration of this school year for the purpose of general student and staff attendance. However, learning will continue for Kansas students.
A 25-member task force comprised of many of the state’s top educators in Kansas continues working to develop plans for Continuous Learning. The task force will deliver their recommendations to Kansas Commissioner of Education Dr. Randy Watson by Wednesday evening.
Kansas education is among the finest in the country. Closing classrooms and moving to a Continuous Learning plan can’t begin to replicate our state’s education structure as we know it, but it can help ensure strategies that will provide a bridge back to the world-class learning our students benefit from today.
Essential staff members – as determined by local district officials – may be needed through Friday, March 20, to assess and prepare for facility maintenance. While schools are closed, administrative offices and support facilities may remain open as needed.
Once buildings are thoroughly sanitized, they will be able to reopen for small groups of school personnel to implement a plan for Continuous Learning.
We realize this is a difficult time, but Kansans always have persevered – and we will continue to do so. We will work together to get through this, and we will overcome this challenge and emerge stronger.
