Governor Laura Kelly has signed an executive order to require face masks, social distancing and temperature checks in Kansas public schools. She says she will delay the signing of another order until the state board of education has a vote.
The second order would delay the reopening of schools by three weeks, and it requires approval by the state board. The governor had harsh criticism for Republican leaders who have been urging the board to vote against the order, saying they are putting politics above public health. She said Republican leaders have downplayed or ignored the threat from COVID-19. The governor said she will continue to use every resource and tool available to protect Kansans and keep the economy open for business, regardless of the political pushback.
The governor’s order on face masks will apply to students, faculty, staff and visitors to public school buildings. It will have exceptions for:
- Eating;
- Activities that cannot be safely conducted with a mask or other face covering;
- Children who are not students and are 5 years of age or under;
- Persons with a medical condition, mental health condition, or disability that prevents wearing a face covering;
- Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing or communicating with a person who is deaf or hard of hearing, where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication;
- Persons for whom wearing a face covering would create a risk to the person related to their work.
The order will also require hand sanitizer in all classrooms, and all students and faculty will have to sanitize their hands at least once every hour.
The state board of education is expected to vote this week on the order that would delay the start of the school year until September 8th. Republican leaders have criticized the order as a “one size fits all approach” that is not needed statewide.
The state board of education has scheduled a special meeting for Wednesday morning at 10. It will be conducted by video conference.
Public comments on the issues are being taken until 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 21. There is online comment form at the following link. Public Comment Survey: Delaying the 2021 School Year.
