Kelly delays reopening of Kansas schools until after Labor Day as COVID-19 cases soar

Gov. Laura Kelly plans to order that Kansas schools stay closed until after Labor Day, a decision driven by skyrocketing coronavirus case numbers that will require approval from top education leaders.

The delay will disrupt the lives of hundreds of thousands of families, forcing them to stay at home to care for children or scramble to find additional child care. The order will push the start of the school year past Sept. 7, a significant change in a state where most districts begin classes in August.

Kelly also plans to order districts to adopt many of the safety recommendations — such as masks, social distancing and temperature checks — outlined in reopening guidance from the Kansas State Department of Education. The state board of education, which approved the guidance on Wednesday, must sign off on Kelly’s decision to delay the start of school.

Kansas on Wednesday reported a jump of 875 cases since Monday. Nearly 6,000 residents have tested positive since July began.

“I cannot in good conscience open schools when Kansas has numerous hot spots and cases are at an all-time high and continuing to rapidly rise,” Kelly said at a Wednesday news conference. “Putting nearly half a million kids in daily large gatherings is the exact opposite of what health experts have urged us to do.”

The announcement came as districts had been scrambling to assemble reopening plans and sift through the logistics of welcoming students back amid a pandemic. When can classes be held in person? What precautions are realistic? Should a school be shut for a single COVID-19 case?

Kelly’s plan to mandate the state’s reopening guidance will answer some of those questions. The recommendations center on social distancing, regular hand-washing, disinfecting surfaces, and suggestions that schools consider placing students in groups to minimize the spread of an outbreak.

“We have already seen what happens when guidelines are voluntary,” Kelly said. “That means masks, social distancing, proper hygiene and daily temperature checks will enforced, regardless of what county the schools are in.”

The governor’s order is her latest assertion of executive power during the pandemic. In directing schools to remain closed for several more weeks, she is seeking to override the decision-making of district school boards, which often zealously guard the local control they have over their operations.

In the spring, as the coronavirus spread across the state, Kelly banned mass gatherings and issued stay-at-home orders. Amid a growing backlash from Republican lawmakers, Kelly in late May dropped all remaining mandatory statewide rules. She then issued a statewide mask order ahead of Independence Day. Most counties quickly opted out, but a few in recent days have reconsidered as cases climb.

Under a new state law, the state board of education – an elected body comprised of members representing areas of the state – must approve any executive order closing schools. The State Finance Council, a group of legislative leaders chaired by Kelly, will review the order but can’t override it.

Janet Waugh, vice chair of the board, said she was surprised by the decision and didn’t know it was coming.

“I can’t commit to my decision. I need more information and I need to hear the thoughts of people who are walking the walk and talking the talk. The people who are totally involved,” Waugh said, adding that the board needs to assure it’s making the health and safety of students and staff its highest priority. “And if we can assure that by delaying school, then that’s great. But whatever we do, I want to ensure that we are putting our staff and students as the top priority.”

Board member Ann Mah said she needs to dig into the details before making a decision. She indicated she wants to speak with teachers and superintendents about their views.

“Some counties have no cases. But I know we have kids in some counties where there are hot spots. So we need to base this decision on trends,” Mah said. “Could we have small cohorts of kids starting school early and then phase everybody else in? I don’t know how firm the parameters will be.”

Kelly’s decision came after Senate President Susan Wagle last week sent a letter to state school board members urging them to formally announce that schools will open in the fall. In a statement Wednesday, Wagle said she hopes the board “will take into consideration that one size doesn’t fit all.”

But Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley, a Topeka Democrat, called Kelly’s decision “necessary to give school districts more time to prepare and implement cautionary measures for when students, teachers, and staff do return to schools.”

This story was originally published July 15, 2020 at 3:29 PM.