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.
USD 253 Emporia used a special meeting Wednesday to update the process leading up to the restart of classes, either on March 30 or shortly thereafter. Superintendent Kevin Case fielded questions from board members, which have also been asked by parents and community members — things like computer access, building access and IEPs.
Case says the Teaching and Learning department is working to determine who has full technology, who has limited access through smartphones or laptops and who has no access.
USD 251 North Lyon County had a regular board meeting Wednesday with several items of note, but all were overshadowed by the coronavirus situation. Superintendent Mike Mathes says the education plans are changing daily, but plans are still developing.
Mathes says there will be 40-60 students that will need pickups, so the district will use all six of its buses to limit student counts to 10 per vehicle to meet current social distancing guidelines. The district will recommend parents bring students, but Mathes says many won’t be able to do that.
Both districts have announced “grab-and-go” meal plans, with Emporia’s version debuting Wednesday at Logan Avenue Elementary and Emporia Middle School. North Lyon County’s rendition starts Thursday in Allen, Admire, Americus and Reading.
Both meetings were live-streamed on the respective district websites or social media, and both districts indicate this could become the norm while coronavirus is a concern.
