KCPS says health department advising against in-person class

KCPS says health department advising against in-person class

Kansas City, Missouri, Public Schools have been advised not to offer in-person classes in the fall.

So, they are back to the drawing board when figuring out what is best for students, staff and faculty.

REWARD.TODAY - KANSAS CITYPUBLIC SCHOOLSPLANNED TO RELEASE ITSREOPENING PLAN --BUT THOSE PLANSCHANGED WHEN THEHEALTH DEPARTMENTADVISED AGAINST IN-PERSON CLASSES41 ACTION NEWSREPORTER JORDAN BETTSEXPLAINS HOW THEDISTRICT IS PIVOTING TOHELP KEEP EVERYONESAFE.Dr. Mark Bedell, KCPSSUPERINTENDENT"We are all in unchartedterritory right now.

We are alltrying to make the rightdecisions in the interest in thestudents that we serve, thefacility and staff we serve andthis community."KANSAS CITY PUBLICSCHOOLS ARE BACK TOTHE DRAWING BOARD.Dr. Mark Bedell, KCPSSUPERINTENDENT"We worked hard to put outour plans in place to releasetoday, which was going to beto share with our parents thevarious options that wereavailable as we move towardsAugust 24th.

After receivingsome new data from thehealth department on Friday,that prompted us to have tomake some pivots."ALONG WITH THE DATA,THE HEALTH DEPARTMENTADVISED AGAINST IN-PERSON CLASSES.Dr. Mark Bedell, KCPSSUPERINTENDENT"We want to make sure whenwe put out information it'sinformation that can allow ourfamilies to make an informeddecision.

I think our families,most people in this communityunderstand that the data ischanging rapidly."Andrea Flinders, President ofKansas City Federation ofTeache"I am really glad.

I was on thatmeeting with the healthdepartment when theyrecommended not openingschools."THE K-C TEACHERS UNIONSEES THIS AS A GOODTHING AND THEY HAVE ANIDEA ON WHAT SHOULDHAPPEN FOR THE SCHOOLYEAR.Andrea Flinders, President ofKansas City Federation ofTeachers"They hope that they startvirtual I think that would betheir preference.

I think theyare open to a slow reopeningof schools, especially if thevirus continues to be at such ahigh level in Kansas City."FOR PARENTS, THEY WILLCONTINUE TO WAIT.Tino Herrera, KCPS Parent"We are trying to figure outwhat this looks like here in thecoming weeks, for AugustSeptember October.

Yes, it isfilled with anxiety.

My hope isthat they will make a plan assoon as possible."AS FOR THE FUTURE OFK-C SCHOOLS, THEDISTRICT WANTSEVERYONE TO KNOWSAFETY COMES FIRSTDr. Mark Bedell, KCPSSUPERINTENDENT"Ultimately, that is the goal todo everything in our power, towork with the healthdepartment, work with ourmayors office and work withthis community to doeverything that we need to doto prevent anymore spread."IN KANSAS CITY JORDANBETTS 41 ACTION NEWSTHERE WILL BE APRESENTATIONWEDNESDAY TO THEBOARD ABOUT WHAT THISPIVOTING WILL LOOK LIKE.PARENTS COULD HEARSOMETHING FROM THEDISTRICT AT THE END OFTHIS WEEK OR EARLYNEXT WEEK ABOUT THEREVISED PLAN.41 ACTION NEWSREACHED OUT TO OTHERSCHOOL DISTRICTS INKANSAS CITY - REGARDINGTHE HEALTHDEPARTMENT'SRECOMMENDATION.CENTER SCHOOL DISTRICTSAID IT'S WORKING WITHPUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALSAND GOVERNMENTAGENCIES AS IT WORKS TOMAKE A DECISION.IT SAYS OPTIONS INCLUDESTARTING SCHOOL AFTERAUGUST 24TH ANDLOOKING AT MORE VIRUTALOPTIONS.