By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
The Hays school district hopes to have a plan for reopening schools by the end of July, Superintendent Ron Wilson told the school board Monday night.
The plan will include options for in-person learning, a hybrid of in-person and online, and fully online learning.
"I think the part that I want to get across is all parts of our plan include how we can manage the health and safety of students and staff and always make them our top priority as we reopen schools," Wilson said.
Wilson is a part of a group of Ellis County educators that is trying coordination education services in the county. The group also includes representatives from Ellis, Victoria and the Catholic schools.
Wilson said the district is continuing to talk to local public officials as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Kansas Department of Health and Environment to develop ways to minimize risk as students return to school.
Wilson said school is going to look different this fall than what families are used to.
"We are preparing for all possibilities," Wilson said, "but we also understand that we are going to have some unexpected occurrences that we are going to have to deal with. The two words I ask is patience and flexibility."
Wilson acknowledged people want to know what the plan will be, but he said the district is taking its time to develop a plan that is right for its students and staff.
Some districts had already released their plans, and then the governor issued an order Monday pushing the start of in-person classes to no earlier than Sept. 9. The state school board must approve the action. They are set to meet on Wednesday.
"For us this is not about being first, it's about getting it right," Wilson said.
The district the plan will still be subject to change based on community spread, Wilson said. Ellis County reported 10 new COVID-19 cases on Monday for a total of 34 active cases.
Board President Mike Walker said the board does not want to put children in unsafe situations.
"We are relying on experts, scientists, education experts, mental health experts, and even experts in domestic violence and nutrition and getting information from all types of people on opening the schools," Walker said.
"I have not heard any responsible person say let's open the schools as if it was last year."
Board Vice President Craig Pallister, who wore a mask during the meeting, said he is wearing a mask because he hopes it will contribute to schools being able to reopen sooner. However, he said he did not feel the same urgency from the Ellis County health officer.
Board member Tammy Wellbrock said she appreciated the district is receiving community feedback, but said the decision on reopening schools is bigger than just the local school board. More people are at stake, she said.
"It's not that the loudest people calling us will make that difference," she said.
Enrollment has already started for the school year. It is being done online with the exception of new families and families who do not have access to technology. You can find enrollment information on the USD 49 website.
Wilson encouraged parents to enroll their students now. This will help the district in its planning process.
If a parent does not know if they want their children to attend in-person or online only, they can enroll now and change their choice later.
Wilson encouraged parents who wish their children to continue online learning in the fall to continue with the Hays school district rather than another online school in the state.
Hays USD 489 can provide local support, which the other schools can't, he said.
"We really need our families to remember that we can offer remote learning, and we can do it very well," Wilson said.