School districts continue their planning for new education delivery models in light of the growing coronavirus pandemic and Governor Laura Kelly’s executive order closing schools and ending in-class education Tuesday.
Along with the new education methods, which will likely go live March 30 across the area, districts are fielding a lot of calls about students moving to their next respective grade levels or graduating. On KVOE’s Newsmaker segment Wednesday, USD 252 Southern Lyon County Superintendent Mike Argabright said some discussions are still coming even after the governor’s executive order canceled commencement exercises across the state.
USD 251 North Lyon County Superintendent Mike Mathes said he felt bad for seniors in his district.
There are some concerns about exactly what the education models will look like when school resumes in late March, according to USD 253 Emporia Superintendent Kevin Case.
Concerns for some area districts include access to broadband internet. USD 243 Lebo-Waverly Superintendent Corey Reece says a significant portion of his student body has limited to no access.
The same holds true at USD 386 Madison-Virgil. Superintendent Stu Moeckel:
Emporia Christian School Principal Trisha Fullerton says staff at the school are on a good pace with developing new electronic interactive education options for when the school year officially resumes. Fullerton says as their significantly smaller student population makes educating their students from a distance a simpler task.
Sacred Heart Catholic School Principal Darby O’Neil says his heart immediately went out to their families who will be severely impacted by the Governor’s decision. However; he did commend the decision as it has provided some sense of clarity during an otherwise uncertain time.
Grab-and-go meal options are either underway or will start soon. USD 253 Emporia debuted its plan Wednesday with USD 386 Madison-Virgil already underway since Monday. USD 251 North Lyon County begins its plan Thursday, while USD 252 Southern Lyon County will debut this upcoming Monday.
