board of education minutes wichita public schools · usd 259 … · 2020. 8. 25. · minutes...

Minutes approved by the Board of Education.

Wichita BOE Meeting Minutes August 20, 2020 of 6

Board of Education Minutes Wichita Public Schools · USD 259

Wichita, Kansas August 20, 2020

BOE Workshop The Board of Education of Unified School District No. 259, Sedgwick

County, Kansas, held a BOE Workshop in the Wichita High School North Lecture Hall, 1437 Rochester, Wichita, Kansas, at approximately 5 p.m., on August 20, 2020, with President Sheril Logan presiding.

Present: Ben Blankley, Julie Hedrick, Ernestine Krehbiel, Sheril Logan, Stan Reeser, Mike Rodee, and Ron Rosales.

The following members of the Kansas COVID Workgroup for Kids presented a workshop on School Reopening and Gating Criteria:

Paul Teran, M.D., FAAP Pediatric hospitalist, Inpatient Education Director, KUSM-W Pediatrics.

Kimber Kasitz, BSN, RN, NCSN Director of health, Homebound and 504 Services, USD 259; Past-President, Kansas School Nurses Organization.

Stephanie Kuhlmann, M.D., FAAP Pediatric Hospitalist Division director, KUSM-W; pediatric medical director, Wesley Children’s Hospital.

Kelli Netson, Ph.D., ABPP Director of Neuropsychology, KUSM-W Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences.

Rebecca Reddy, M.D., FAAP Founder and Managing Partner of Redbud Pediatrics LLC.

The complete workshop presentation is attached to the archival copies of this BOE Agenda and Minutes.

Recess When the BOE Workshop ended at 6:33 p.m., Board President Sheril Logan requested a 10-minute recess.

Roll Call The Board of Education of Unified School District No. 259, Sedgwick County, Kansas, met in special session in the Wichita High School North Lecture Hall, 1437 Rochester, Wichita, Kansas, at approximately 6:43 p.m., on August 20, 2020, with President Sheril Logan presiding.

Present: Ben Blankley, Julie Hedrick, Ernestine Krehbiel, Sheril Logan, Stan Reeser, Mike Rodee, and Ron Rosales.

Moment of Silence/Pledge of Allegiance

The business portion of the meeting opened with a moment of silence followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.



Statement about the COVID-19 Modified BOE Meeting Format

Clerk of the Board Mike Willome said that due to the Governor’s Declaration of Emergency and due to health and safety concerns that exist because of COVID-19, no members of the public are present at this meeting.

This meeting is available to be viewed live by the public in the following ways:

1. WPS-TV on Cox Cable Channel 20, 2. District’s website at www.usd259.org/wpstvonline, and 3. Apps for phone, Roku and Apple TV by searching “WPS-TV.”

Following the conclusion of today’s meeting, this meeting will be available on the WPS YouTube channel. It will also be rebroadcast on WPS-TV Cox Cable Channel 20.

The Agenda for this meeting was published on August 18, 2020, at www.usd259.org/boe under the “BOE Meetings: Agendas and Minutes” tab. An update was published on August 19th.

At this meeting, all Board members, District staff, and presenters will identify themselves by name and position before they speak.

The usual public communications item that allows members of the public to speak at Board meetings has been removed from the agenda. In its place, an E-mail Public Comments item has been added. Information about how patrons can submit e-mail comments is included on page 1 of the BOE Agenda. Public Communications will not be placed back in the agenda until the public again starts attending meetings.

Reports Report – Service Employees International: Esau Freeman. Topic: 2020-

21 School Year.

Report – United Teachers of Wichita: UTW President Kimberly Howard. Topic: 2020-21 School Year.

Executive Session: Attorney-Client Matters

At approximately 6:58 p.m., Ms. Hedrick (Mr. Rosales) moved the Board recess into an executive session for purposes of consulting with the Board’s attorney to discuss a matter involving potential liability, and the Board return from executive session to this room at 7:20 p.m.

The motion passed 7-0. Reconvene Meeting At 7:23 p.m., Board President Logan reconvened the meeting. E-mail Public Comment President Logan acknowledged e-mail communication received from 13

community members. The E-mail Public Comment document is attached to the BOE Minutes for this meeting.

http://www.usd259.org/wpstvonline

http://www.usd259.org/boe



Education Future Ready Return to School Plan: Learning Model Decision-Making Guide

The Board of Education participated in BOE Workshops related to the Future Ready Return to School Plan on July 13, July 15, and July 17, 2020 at noon meetings in the North High Lecture Hall. Topics included Operational Supports, Learning Options, and Employee Supports.

On July 20, 2020, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly signed Executive Order #20-59: Requiring COVID-19 Mitigation Procedures in Schools. Gov. Kelly announced that she would sign Executive Order #20-58, which would delay schools from beginning any student instruction from August 10 through September 8, 2020. Executive Order #20-58 could only be signed if the Kansas Board of Education voted to approve the order. The Kansas Board of Education scheduled a meeting on July 22nd to discuss and vote on Executive Order #20-58. A motion to approve Executive Order #20-58 failed in a 5-5 vote by the Kansas Board of Education. On July 23, 2020, the Board participated in a special meeting at noon in the North High Lecture Hall. The Board took the following three actions as part of an additional review of the Future Ready Return to School Plan:

a) Approved the district’s three learning models that will be available to families – Onsite, MySchool Remote, and Education Imagine Academy.

b) Approved the Learning Model Decision-Making Guide as the approved protocol to determine the appropriate learning model during the COVID-19 pandemic.

c) Accepted Governor Laura Kelly’s recommendation of starting schools after Labor Day, directed this to the District Calendar Committee on July 28th, to report back to the Board on July 30th, and for the Board to adopt a final calendar on July 30th, with the understanding that the Board cannot afford to go past the current end date and incur any extra expenses. The district still must satisfy the state mandate of 1,116 hours for students in the schedule.

On July 30, 2020, the Board reviewed and approved proposed revisions to the 2020-21 District Calendar, setting the first day of school after Labor Day, on September 8, 2020.

On August 17, 2020, the Board participated in a BOE Workshop and reviewed four gaiting documents related to school opening, activities, and spectators.

Today’s agenda item provided an opportunity for the Board’s discussion and/or appropriate action regarding:

1) School opening gating criteria for students enrolled in onsite learning and grade-level criteria for onsite and full-remote learning;

2) Activities and spectators gating criteria; and 3) The duration of the Board’s initial decision regarding the above

items 1 and 2.

These BOE Minutes report seven motions at the Board table, beginning on the next page.



Motion #1: Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) Kansas Schools Gating Criteria document as guide for District’s Learning Model Decision-Making Outcomes

Ms. Hedrick (Ms. Krehbiel) moved the Board adopt the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) Kansas Schools Gating Criteria presented in tonight’s BOE Workshop presentation, replacing the term hybrid in the KSDE document with the term MySchool Remote that is used in the Wichita Public Schools’ Learning Model Decision-Making Outcomes document revised after the Board’s discussion at the BOE Workshop on July 17, 2020.

Based on the Board’s discussion, Ms. Hedrick modified the motion to include the approval of two statements on the revised Learning Model Decision-Making Outcomes document:

1) Students enrolled in Education Imagine Academy will continue learning in that model regardless off the level off restriction designated by the Board of Education, and

2) Onsite and MySchool Remote teachers will teach from their schools. The Wichita district would use KSDE’s K-5 and Grades 6-12 as the two grade level groups.

Based on the Board’s discussion, Ms. Hedrick further modified the motion regarding the Status and Learning Models rows of the Learning Model Decision-Making Outcomes document:

Low Restrictions (green) Onsite for PreK-12;

Moderate Restrictions (yellow) PreK-12: Onsite or MySchool Remote (based on parent selection)

Moderate Restrictions (orange) PreK-5: Onsite or MySchool Remote (based on parent selection), and Grades 6-12: MySchool Remote for all students.

High Restrictions (red) Pre-K-12: MySchool Remote for all students.

Based on tonight’s BOE Workshop, Ms. Hedrick further modified the motion to take the hospital capacity criteria [from the Community Gating Criteria row on page 2 of the KSDE document] off since Dr. Paul Teran said that wasn’t something health experts were looking at.

The motion passed 4-3.

Yeas: Julie Hedrick, Ernestine Krehbiel, Sheril Logan, and Stan Reeser.

Nays: Ben Blankley, Mike Rodee, and Ron Rosales.

President Logan said the Board of Education had adopted the KSDE Gating Criteria in the district’s documents, with the revisions made at the Board table.

Recess At approximately 8:10 p.m., President Logan requested a 15-minute

recess in order for staff to update the Learning Model Decision-Making Guide.

Reconvene At approximately 8:25 p.m., President Logan reconvened the meeting.



Future Ready Return to School Plan: Learning Model Decision-Making Guide (Continued)

After the recess, the Board reviewed an updated version of the Learning Model Decision-Making Outcomes page. By consensus, the Board made clarifying revisions to the document.

Motion #2: Definitions page.

Mr. Rodee (Mr. Blankley) moved a Definitions page be added to the district’s final Learning Model Decision-Making Guide document.

The motion passed 7-0. Motion #3: COVID-19 Advisory Committee

Mr. Reeser (Ms. Hedrick) moved the Superintendent organize a COVID-19 Advisory Committee. The Kansas COVID Workgroup for Kids recommended the advisory committee include Board of Education members, district leadership, district nurses, teachers, community leaders, health officials, parent representation, and physicians to meet on a regular basis to assist Superintendent Thompson and the Wichita Public Schools BOE in determining the most appropriate risk zone for school decisions.

Based on the Board’s discussion, Mr. Reeser modified the motion to add Service Employees International Union representation.

The motion passed 7-0. Review of Learning Model Decision-Making Criteria document

The Board then reviewed the district’s Learning Model Decision-Making Criteria document, with minor modifications based on KSDE gating criteria.

Motion #4: Visitor Access

Mr. Rodee moved that regarding Visitor Access in the Moderate Restrictions column, the district’s Outcomes document be revised to state none allowed, for the safety of buildings.

Based on Dr. Thompson’s examples of how Visitor Access would be limited by appointments, Mr. Rodee withdrew the motion.

The BOE meeting continued as staff updated the Learning Model Decision-Making Guide document for additional review.

COVID-19 Surveillance Report from Human Resources

Chief Human Resources Officer Sean Hudspeth introduced Board members to the COVID-19 Surveillance Report, which is a cooperative endeavor between the district and the Sedgwick County Health Department. The weekly report provides a summary of COVID-19 positive cases among district staff by general location: elementary school, middle school, K-8 school, high school, special school, and non-attendance center. The report will be available on the district’s Web site.

Motion #5: Board’s Review Interval

Ms. Krehbiel (Mr. Blankley) moved that the Board establish nine weeks as the Board’s review interval for implementation of the Learning Model Decision-Making Guide, with adjustments to be recommended by the COVID-19 Advisory Committee.


Yeas: Ben Blankley, Julie Hedrick, Ernestine Krehbiel, Stan Reeser, Mike Rodee, and Ron Rosales.

Nay: Sheril Logan.



Motion #6: Revised Learning Model Decision-Making Guide

Mr. Blankley (Ms. Hedrick) moved the Board approve the revised Learning Model Decision-Making Guide.

Based on the Board’s discussion, Mr. Blankley modified the motion, requesting that the Learning Model Decision-Making Guide, with Definitions to be provided at the regular BOE meeting on August 24, 2020.


Yeas: Ben Blankley, Julie Hedrick, Ernestine Krehbiel, Sheril Logan, Stan Reeser, and Mike Rodee.

Nay: Ron Rosales. Motion #7: Determine Gating Level for the First 9 Weeks of 2020-21 School Year

Mr. Reeser (Mr. Rodee) moved the Board accept the gating level as Moderate Restrictions (Orange), with PreK-5 students in-person if parents have signed up for in-person, and students in Grades 6-12 in MySchool Remote for the first nine weeks, unless the COVID-19 Advisory Committee recommends movement in either direction, with the minimum being five weeks.

Superintendent Thompson said the district will communicate with parents of PreK-5 students that they need to make a commitment to onsite or MySchool Remote by August 28th. If parents have enrolled at a school and do not make a decision by August 28th, the school will default the student to onsite instruction. Parents will need to make any adjustments to their decisions by September 4th. This will provide school staff the time necessary to prepare for the first day of school on September 8th. Dr. Thompson said elementary teachers can still request to teach MySchool Remote. Human Resources staff are working with elementary teachers in this regard.


Yeas: Julie Hedrick, Ernestine Krehbiel, Sheril Logan, Stan Reeser, and Mike Rodee.

Nay: Ben Blankley and Ron Rosales.

The KSDE Kansas Schools Gating Criteria and the Board of Education’s approved Learning Model Decision-Making Guide are included in the archival copies of this BOE Agenda and Minutes.

Board members thanked the community and parents for their communication and involvement in these decisions. President Logan thanked the Superintendent, leadership, teachers, and staff for their work.

Dr. Thompson thanked the medical doctors from the Kansas COVID Workgroup for Kids, Health Services Director Kimber Kasitz, and representatives from United Teachers of Wichita and Service Employees International; and challenged herself, the school district, and everyone to do right by our teachers, our staff, and our students to move the district forward.

Adjournment Mr. Reeser (Mr. Rodee) moved the meeting adjourn.


At approximately 9:43 p.m., the meeting adjourned.

Wichita Public Schools ∙ E-mail Public Comment ∙ August 20, 2020

Page 1 of 13

From: S Vandel Sent: Thursday, August 13, 2020 10:33 AM Subject: Face to Face learning

Good Morning,

I hope this email finds you well, I am extremely concerned as a parent with the upcoming vote for the option of face to face learning. I hope each of you school board members understand the position you are putting some families in and the financial impact your vote can make, to the point of pushing me into losing my home, and employment. I have been with the same employer for 11 years, I cannot afford to pay $360.00 a month in daycare. I have had to pay this amount since March it is causing a strain on me financially. I do not receive state assistance. I am supporting me and my child in a single income household. I am just one of many parents who will be negatively impacted by the decision to not allow face to face learning.

If in home daycares and daycare facilities can be open with no masks, and no social distancing and zero issues to this day. Keep in mind these children when they are with parents go shopping, to the park, to family gatherings, swimming pools, on vacations, etc. I feel that schools should be allowed to be open and the choice be left up to each family and what works best for them. We tried continuing learning when the schools closed early in March; this was a complete fail for MY child. She is 6 years old and still needs to be tested to see if there is a learning disability. This has had a negative impact on her mental, emotional and behavioral health. Children need to socialize with other children this is damaging to their development.

My employer will be sending an email as well, Remote learning, or online learning does not work for my family I am an accountant not a teacher, my child needs the face to face to stay on track and to make sure she is getting the appropriate learning experience a computer screen is not something that will work, an in home daycare is not a healthy learning environment as well, they have infants to tend to, toddlers and there is typically 10 other kids from the age of 0-10 years old. How is my child supposed to concentrate to learn what she needs to learn. I cannot bring my child to work as that is not productive to my accounting clients, so if face to face learning is not an option I will have to quit my job so I can sit and try and homeschool my child. I work 40 plus hours a week and your choice on a pandemic that is being blown way out in left field is leaving parents like me in a difficult position. Are you guys going to cover the cost of my lost wages? My homeowners insurance, medical bills, utilities, car payment, car insurance. I think not but my options as a single income household and a single parent with sole custody are limited and your decisions affect me and my child greatly. I have even spoken with a child psychologist this is damaging to a child. So please keep in mind when you vote that you could be furthering our states' downfall, and the future of our children.

Sheila Vandeloecht Please redact out address for privacy concerns Wichita, KS


Page 2 of 13

From: Dylan Brown <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, August 13, 2020 10:33 AM Subject: Peoples Opinion: Vote FOR Face-to-Face Learning To whom it may concern, I hope that this email finds you well. My name is Dylan Brown, and I am a concerned resident of Wichita Public Schools. I reside at 2908 S. Osage Ave. It has come to my attention that the Board of Education will be voting as to whether or not face-to-face education options will be available this coming school year. I would like to make the following points, in the best interest of the children and parents of Wichita Public Schools. The potential financial impact on single-parent families is devastating. To require parents, in households with a single parent, to online school their child, it will require them to find a daycare provider capable of assisting the child with their online schooling, or they will have to stop working in order to educate their child, which is the duty of the school district. Additionally, many children that require face-to-face learning will be left with a subpar quality education, as a direct result of their parents being unable to choose the most effective education solution for their child. This is not an issue that effects a small portion of the population, in fact, according to the Population Reference Bureau and U.S. Census Bureau, this could account for up to 39% of the WPS population. Furthermore, this is inhibiting the children from their ability to socialize with other children their age, which is an important skill for them to develop, as they will continue to use it forever. In closing, the financial burden being placed on parents, paired with the negative developmental and educational impact that removing face-to-face learning opportunities will have on children is simply and obviously not worth any potential "risk mitigation". Children have been attending daycare centers at an increased rate since the pandemic first began in roughly March of this year, and there have yet to be clusters or dramatic increases in the number of cases as a result of these facilities. Schools operate in a very similar manner to these facilities, often with more of an emphasis on the safety of children; therefore, there is no logical reason that schools should continue to, nor have ever been, shutdown. It is the duty of Wichita Public Schools to provide an effective and adequate education for the children of Wichita and the surrounding area. I place my faith in you, the members of the board, that you will make the right decision and send our children back to school. Dylan Brown 1523 E. Pawnee Wichita, KS 67211


Page 3 of 13

From: Patsy Harrel <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, August 18, 2020 10:17 AM Subject: Remote learning

I have one kid in high school and one in elementary school and I do not feel safe for either of them going to school in person. I think doing remote learning would be much safer for all of our children.

Patsy Harrel 605 S. Apache Dr. Wichita Kansas 67207

mailto:[email protected]


Page 4 of 13

From: Kristin Knoll <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, August 18, 2020 1:58 PM Subject: Comments for BOE Meeting on 08/20/2020

Letting my thoughts be known after hearing the BOE is now considering to cancel in-person classroom instruction. Enough is enough, we have and will continue to destroy a generation of children. Many segments of our society have returned to operating and conducting business, how can we not do the same for our children? We must put aside personal and political agendas and simply make decisions that put our children first. They're in no greater danger in a classroom than they are at Dillon's, Walmart, QT, Applebees, etc. etc., and some health experts would argue they'd be safer and healthier.

Jeff and Kristin Knoll 9 E. Hawthorne St. Wichita, KS 67206


Page 5 of 13

From: Konner Knoll <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, August 18, 2020 3:41 PM Subject: Please Read from a concerned parent After hearing the BOE is now considering to cancel in-person classroom learning. You know [expletive deleted] well this district can’t have kids succeed and learn through an online format. This is an inner city district where not everyone has access computers and internet. (And please save it, you guys will not get computers and internet to every student) Not to mention in most of the families the parents work one if not two or more jobs and can not afford a babysitter. How do you expect this to work? You are setting these kids up for failure and I cannot sit and watch without voicing my opinion. The kids need to be in school so let the kids that want to attend do it. My daughter and many others thrive in a school setting and when you take that away you are hurting them intellectually, socially, emotionally and spiritually. I work in the medical field and I know the virus is real but it is not going anywhere. I believe that with the proper habits of washing hands, keeping distance and staying home when you are sick that everything will be just fine. We must put aside personal and political agendas and simply make decisions that put our children first. They're in no greater danger in a classroom than they are at Dillon's, Walmart, QT, Applebees, etc. etc., and some health experts would argue they'd be safer and healthier. Get these kids back in school and let’s move on so this virus can run it’s course just like all the others we face every year. Respectfully, Konner Knoll 9 E. Hawthorne Wichita, KS 67211


Page 6 of 13

From: Kasey Clyde <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, August 18, 2020 3:46 PM Subject: School year 20-21 Good afternoon,

I am writing this to advocate for my children, as well as other children who’s parents work full time + hours, or for the children who may not be getting fed at home, or may not have access to work remotely at home. I am a Full time nurse, as well as a part time teacher. I understand the fears and risks of Covid-19. I also understand the unknowns, learning opportunities, and the challenges that come with opening schools back up with this virus. My daughter, as well as most other children, have been out of school since spring break in March. They have not had any type of set routine as each day brings new challenges. My son is going into kindergarten this school year and he will not be able to experience a “normal” school year. This saddens me. Before yourself, as well as the school board, choose to go remote with learning for the beginning of the school year, please keep in mind, that children will not get the education they deserve at home, if their parents are working. I am not able to work 50-60 hours as a nurse on the frontlines and then come home and teach my children for 4-8hours each night. This is unfair for them as well. I am sure we are not the only family facing this challenge. Children deserve the routine and environment in school, with friends, and teachers who teach elementary classes, not a parent who is unable to figure out common core math, or is exhausted from working all day, or another sibling trying to help. For those families who have the means to home school, that is great! This does not fit every child’s learning style or the parent’s ability due to whatever the reason.

After listening to a conference call with members on the covid team from the Wichita hospitals, they have even stated that we need to figure out how to move on with the “new normal,” as this could continue for another 1-2 years until most people have gained immunity from the virus. I do not feel that, especially for young children, the “new normal” is remote learning, but in class learning. It might mean more hygiene practices, and wearing masks throughout the school year. It will mean getting creative to keep social distancing in place.

I thank you for all you do to keep the teachers and children safe. I am just asking that you keep this in mind when discussing and deciding the fate of the school year. Thank you,

Kasey Clyde RN 731 N Klein Cir Derby, Ks 67037


Page 7 of 13

From: Rachel Carter <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, August 19, 2020 10:57 AM Subject: Re: USD 259 Reopening Plan Good morning, My question is - Why is safe for children pre-k - 5th grade to attend school in person, but not safe for high school students? Wouldn't the younger children be less likely to adhere to social distancing and mask mandates than older children? I understand it's harder to educate younger children online, but it just doesn't seem right that we'd attempt to keep one age group safer than others. Thank You, Signed - Concerned Parent of a Brand New Pre-K Student Rachel Carter 1647 S. Main St. Wichita, KS 67213


Page 8 of 13

From: Amanda Brown <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, August 19, 2020 3:53 PM Subject: RE: Schools Please allow there to be an in-person option for those who want it when school starts this fall. I could go on and on about why, but I think it really comes down to what's best for the kids. I'm afraid my daughter with special needs will lose ground without the group environment to help motivate her. Thank you for your time! Mandy Brown 1457 N Woodrow Ct Wichita, KS 67203


Page 9 of 13

From: Mary Ellen Chaffin <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, August 19, 2020 12:32 PM Subject: Public comment

I am a teacher in 259. I have been very concerned about the decision that lies before you tomorrow night. I (and my husband) have a vested interest in your decision. We are both in our 50’s. We also have 3 school aged kids at home. The purpose of my email is to simply ask you to make an informed decision based on what the COVID dashboard and medical experts feel is most prudent RIGHT NOW.

Since early August the infection rate in Sedgwick County has hovered between 10-11%, clearly putting us in the ORANGE zone (remote only). Community transition is still too high to safely put students back into buildings. We are heading into a holiday weekend soon and the numbers, even with masks, will probably rise again. Nearly 5,500 staff members were brought back to work on August 5 and already there are at least 6 schools in the district with positive cases. There is an elephant in the room folks. What do you think will happen when you put 50,000 students on buses, in crowded hallways and packed classrooms? Granted, some parents have chosen remote learning to begin with, however, even with a reduction of 30%, my class sizes are still huge (25 students or so). It is impossible to social distance in my classroom with that many students. It simply cannot be done.

On Tuesday, Dr. Garold Minns said that COVID numbers are headed in the right direction “but not enough to keep schools open in a relative safe manner.” The man is an expert in his field with decades of experience. I was absolutely flabbergasted when I read that one of you wanted to completely disregard the Sedgwick County numbers and somehow “create” your own?! You can’t create data. It is what it is. Let the data tell the story not vice versa. Other large school districts in this area and region are starting remotely. They are erring on the side of caution, which is what you need to do as well. Topeka and most districts in the Kansas City area are starting remotely.

This virus has shown it can and will attack anyone, even robustly healthy people. Many are left with long-term effects like chronic fatigue, insomnia, depression and even new cardiac issues and the list goes on. A lot of our students live with extended family members. Are you willing to simply the roll the dice, play the odds, and see what happens? It is irresponsible and unconscionable to put teachers, staff, students and their families at risk during a pandemic. I noticed a picture from a recent board meeting where there were Plexiglas shields placed between Dr. Thompson and a couple of the board members. You can also easily social distance in those meetings. Teachers and other staff members don’t have the luxury of Plexiglas shields or extra space at our disposal. Please keep THAT in mind when making your decision.

Thank you for your time and service.

Mary Ellen Chaffin 1514 W. Highlander Court Andover, KS 67002



Page 10 of 13

From: Bronda Boley <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, August 19, 2020 4:37 PM Subject: Re: Parent comment for School Board Meeting on Thursday, August 20, 2020

Good afternoon. I am writing to share some thoughts as the parent of a rising fifth grader.

Our daughter is very excited to go back to school and see her friends again. I believe it very important to allow the students to be together, to see their teachers face to face, and to interact with each other. My concerns are around the masks and social distancing. I understand masks are required in the classrooms in lieu of social distancing. What happens when students take a drink? Will only student drink at a time? At one time, we saw a plan that said the students would have to eat lunch in the classrooms rather than the cafeteria. Is that still the case? I can't find any direction on that in the current plan on the website. At any rate, if the students have to eat in the classroom, how will they be safe when there is not enough room to social distance but they can't wear their masks while they eat. If they eat in the cafeteria, how will social distancing be maintained? Or is this a decision that will be made at the school level?

I am appreciative of the work that has gone into making decisions to keep our students, teachers, administrators, and staff safe. I am certain it hasn't been easy! Thank you all for taking the time and making the effort! We continue to pray your wisdom and strength as you lead our school district.

Grace and peace,

Bronda Boley 749 N. Custer Street Wichita, KS 67203


Page 11 of 13

-----Original Message----- From: ERIC BRUMMETT <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, August 19, 2020 8:27 PM Subject: USD259 return to school decision Dear School Board Members, I am concerned parent of a Junior at North High School and I would like to share my thoughts as to the upcoming decision regarding the start date for in-person school attendance. I have read or viewed many stories in the media outlining the views of those who oppose the return to in-person attendance. Unfortunately, this issue has become entangled with the political battle raging in our country and the viewpoint of opposing a return to in-person attendance has become identified with the progressive movement. Thus, the press has given very little airtime to people who favor in-person attendance at school. The Wichita Eagle has made much noise about the recent spike in Covid19 cases in Sedgwick county and how that spike has pushed the percentages well above the value chosen by the state school board to allow in-person attendance. What the Eagle did not report is that the spike was driven by an incomplete dataset for Sunday 8/16/2020 which featured a very low total number of tests. This dataset was updated on 8/18/2020 and the rolling average for percentage of positive cases now sets at 10.2% excluding the incomplete dataset for 8/17/2020 which moves the average down to 10%. Even Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple has stated, as recently as Sat Aug 15 in the Wichita Eagle, that the city of Wichita is moving in the right direction. The source for the data I have listed is the Sedgwick County Covid 19 Dashboard. I am concerned about the quality of education that will be offered in an on-line format as, in my opinion, the on-line replacement classes in the spring were a poor substitute for in-person classes. I understand that the school district is much better prepared for on-line instruction at this point, but there are still factors that cannot be replaced by the on-line experience. The American Academy of Pediatrics in a post on their website titled "COVID-19 Planning Considerations: Guidance for School Re-entry" stated that: "With the above principles in mind, the AAP strongly advocates that all policy considerations for the coming school year should start with a goal of having students physically present in school. The importance of in person learning is well documented, and there is already evidence of the negative impacts on children because of school closures in the spring of 2020. Lengthy time away from school and associated interruption of supportive services often results in social isolation, making it difficult for schools to identify and address important learning deficits as well as child and adolescent physical or sexual abuse, substance use, depression, and suicidal ideation. This, in turn, places children and adolescents at considerable risk of morbidity and, in some cases, mortality. Beyond the educational impact and social impact of school closures, there has been substantial impact on food security and physical activity for children and families." The goal should be to have students physically present in schools. The Covid19 numbers are trending down and are at or near the threshold prescribed by the state school board. I understand that these are trying times and that the issue of re-opening of schools is controversial and has many loud voices demanding differing courses of action. Please consider the physical, mental and emotional advantages of in-person schooling when you make your decision on re-opening our schools. Please set aside the noise and the politics and please keep the interest of the students paramount in your decision-making process. Thank you, Eric Brummett 6311 Beachy Wichita, KS, 67208


Page 12 of 13

From: Deborah Smith <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, August 19, 2020 11:12 PM Subject: Public Comment for BOE Meeting 8/20

As the parent of an East High senior, I would ask the BOE to consider three things as it makes its decision about the format of school:

1. Please set and announce objective criteria for when various grade levels of school will meet in person or remote. What criteria will you use to determine if students will return in person? If students do start the year in person, what conditions would trigger a return to remote education and for how long? Please base this decision on information from the KDHE, the CDC, and local medical officials rather than on your own personal preferences or what you hope will happen. What happens if you announce an in person start after this week's meeting and the rate of positive tests is significantly higher by September 1? Families and teachers alike need to know what to expect.

2. Regardless of whether schools begin remotely or in person, please re-evaluate this decision every two weeks based on current data about infection rates, the trend over the previous two weeks, and any other criteria you have established. In a rapidly changing situation, it isn't reasonable to make a decision in mid-August and not re-visit it until the beginning of the second quarter on November 9. Put guidelines in place which will allow for a change if conditions warrant it.

3. If it is deemed unsafe for high school students to attend class in person, then sports which involve close physical contact such as football, basketball, volleyball, and wrestling should not occur. It is possible that other KSHAA activities where students are not in close contact and social distancing can be maintained could safely proceed (such as golf, tennis, bowling, or debate). But if college and professional football teams are seeing COVID spread among their players, it will be no different on the high school level. The district's top priority should be facilitating the safe return of all students to the classroom. It will send the wrong message if the football season is allowed to proceed for a small minority of high school students with the result that infection rates rise and the vast majority of high schoolers will have to continue to study from home. Education and safety should be the district's top priorities.

Thank you!

Deborah Smith 144 S. Fountain Wichita, KS 67218


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Note: The following information is from the E-mail Public Comment section of BOE Agendas. The BOE Agendas are published at www.usd259.org/boe under the BOE Meetings: Agendas and Minutes tab.

During the COVID-19 modified meeting format, public comments may be submitted by e-mail only, by e-mailing comments to the Clerk of the Board’s office at [email protected], prior to 8 a.m. on the BOE meeting day. For regular BOE meetings, e-mail comments should be limited to items on the BOE agenda or items within the jurisdiction of the Board. For Special BOE meetings, comments are limited to items on the BOE agenda. The subject line of the e-mail when submitted should include the topic the speaker wishes to address. Comments at a meeting will not include personnel matters concerning district employees and/or matters that would violate the privacy of students. When submitted to the Clerk of the Board, complete contact information (first/last name, street address, city/state/zip, daytime phone number) is necessary in order for the e-mail to be included in the public comments addendum to the BOE Minutes. Incomplete information will result in the comments not being included in BOE Minutes.

Voicemail messages, messages from unidentified cellular devices or unidentified e-mail accounts, and/or e-mails that did not provide above required contact information are excluded from E-mail Public Comment.

E-mails received after 8 a.m. on the date of the Board meeting will be included in the next meeting’s comments.

http://www.usd259.org/boe


board of education minutes wichita public schools · usd 259 … · 2020. 8. 25. · minutes...

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