USD 253 Board of Education members took a deep dive into gating criteria for the upcoming school year during a special session Monday evening.
Discussions were led by members of the Kansas COVID Workgroup for Kids and the district’s Navigating Change Gating Criteria Committee. The criteria take a number of health metrics into consideration and place districts into four different levels Green, Yellow, Orange or Red based on the severity of the health situation.
Dr. Paul Teran of the Kansas COVID Workgroup says based on recent Kansas Department of Health and Environment metrics, the district would likely be in the yellow category at this time. According to the proposed criteria, this would put a hold on high-risk activities, place sixth-12th grade students into a hybrid learning model and would allow conditioning and practices to continue with modifications.
During the meeting, board member Jeremy Dorsey posed the question to members of the Kansas COVID Workingroup if they would feel safe sending their children to school within a USD 253 facility at this time. The majority stated they would due to the district’s current learning model, however, they added they would likely not feel comfortable having their students participate in athletics at this time.
The possibility of an academic year with no athletics has been discussed at length throughout the district, specifically amongst parents and families. This discussion point led to a peaceful protest outside the Mary Herbert Education Center during Monday’s meeting.
Organizer Christina Faulkner says the protest was not directed at the board, but rather the proposed gating criteria itself.
Board President Mike Crouch stated his major concern with not having athletics this year would be for the students who may not succeed academically without them.
Dr. Stephanie Kuhlman of the Kansas COVID Workgroup says if sports are a major priority throughout the district, it will take a complete community effort to ensure they take place.
No decisions on criteria were made during Monday’s meeting, however, board members are expected to render a decision during their regular meeting Wednesday.
That meeting is scheduled to begin at 7 pm inside the Mary Herbert Education Center and on Zoom. The meeting will be viewable via the district’s website at USD253.org. The plan for public comment will be announced by noon Tuesday. Board members are considering a 90-minute window for both online and in-person comment, with people essentially calling or emailing the district for potential appointment slots if they are interested in speaking.
USD 253 Superintendent Kevin Case will join KVOE’s On-Air Chat Wednesday at 10:05 to preview the meeting and update discussions on gating criteria.
If you would like to view the data and materials presented during Monday’s meeting click here.
