Wichita public schools close for year; high school graduation ceremonies canceled

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly announced the closing of all K-12 public schools across the state for the rest of the school year, but the superintendent of the state’s largest school district says “learning will continue.”

What that will look like is anyone’s guess. One thing is for sure: due to increasing concerns about the coronavirus pandemic, there will be no instruction before March 30.

School Board President Sheril Logan said the school employees will all be paid through the closure.

“Our personnel, we will figure out a way to give them meaningful work,” she said. “But a different kind of work because we won’t have kids in our buildings.

“Once we get our buildings sanitized, we’ll be able to bring small, very small groups of teachers in, or staff, and have them begin to do work that we need to provide education in a different way.”

Alicia Thompson, superintendent for Wichita Public Schools, alerted parents immediately after Kelly’s announcement with a prepared written statement.

“School buildings will be closed for traditional classes beginning Monday, March 23. Learning will continue, but it will look different,” Thompson’s email to parents said.

Thompson said school districts have been directed by the state board of education to develop “continuous learning plans” to finish the school year, but “exactly what that looks like for (Wichita Public Schools) is yet to be determined,” Thompson wrote.

Wichita Public Schools will send emails and phone messages to parents “for specific instructions about learning opportunities going forward,” Thompson’s statement said. Parents who aren’t on that list should check the district’s website for updates and update their contact information with the district, Thompson said.

The Wichita school district is working on a plan to continue offering breakfast and lunch to students through the remainder of the school year, Thompson said.

The length of the closure was a surprise, Logan said.

Thompson “has been working with her staff, not thinking that we were going to shut down for the full year, but that we might have to close for a few more weeks, so the bottom line is we’re moving as fast as we can,” Logan said.

“I don’t think we were expecting it (the closure) to be this long, but we certainly understand. That’s a call that’s being made by the Health Department and the governor.

“We will be making another announcement out to our parents next Wednesday, so that we can keep people informed and let them know what’s going on,” Logan said. “And hopefully in between, people keep their kids at home and stay out of the way of the virus and stay healthy.”

All spring events and athletics are canceled. Students will still be able to graduate on time, but there will be no traditional graduation ceremonies, according to the statement. Graduation ceremonies had been scheduled to start the week of May 11. The last day of school was set for May 21.

“Detailed information will be sent to seniors and their families in the next several weeks,” Thompson said.

Students in the district are on spring break this week. Wichita Public Schools will release more information on the changes on Friday, Thompson said.

Thompson held a news conference Tuesday evening, where she repeated the message she sent in the email parents: schools are closing, but learning will continue — somehow.

The district is taking guidance from the Kansas Board of Education on how to deliver instruction outside of schools and Wichita Public Schools will provide more information when the state comes up with a plan.

Asked whether she agreed with Kelly’s decision, Thompson said: “In Wichita public schools we just continue to education kids. Whatever mode we have to do to deliver the instruction, we’re willing to do that.”

Thompson said Wichita Public Schools will gather a list of resources on its website for parents who can’t stay home with their children during school hours, whether they have to work or can’t afford child care — or both.

She said school district employees will be paid on time “and can rest assured that they will remain important members of the (Wichita Public Schools) family.”

Wichita’s suburban school districts reacted similarly to the ordered closure Tuesday.

Goddard Public Schools said in a statement that it does not plan to provide any type of educational instruction prior to March 30. Food service staff are developing plans to distribute meals to students in need. Additional information from the district is expected to be released on Friday.

Derby Public Schools said in a statement that the superintendent will recommend the board of education continue to pay staff. Additional information is expected to be shared in the future on how education will continue, meal services for children and postponement of events, such as graduation.

Maize schools sent an email to parents stating: “Our leadership team, teacher leaders, and community partners are developing plans to support students, staff members, and families, and we will share those plans prior to April 1.”

The email said the Maize district is working on a plan to provide continuous learning through April and May and that it would have more information about about meal distribution next week.

Do you have a student who attends Wichita Public Schools? Send your questions to wenews@wichitaeagle.com and we will try to get answers.

This story was originally published March 17, 2020 at 4:59 PM.