Members of the Kansas State Board of Education rejected the governor's proposed executive order to delay the reopening of public and private elementary, middle and high schools for three weeks from mid-August until Sept. 9.
Five members voted to support Governor Kelly's plan and five voted against it during Wednesday's special meeting held online.
Kansas law requires the state school board’s approval for a delay. Since there was not a majority, the motion to approve the governor's order did not pass.
Click here to watch a replay of the meeting
Following the vote, Governor Kelly said in a statement from her office. "The cases of COVID-19 in Kansas are at an all-time high and continue to rise. Our decisions must be informed by public health experts not politics. This vote puts our students, faculty, their families and our economy at risk.
I will continue to work with our school districts to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our children and ask every school district to delay the start of school.”
Below is how each of the ten members voted.
District 1 Janet Waugh, Kansas City -Yes
District 2 Steve Roberts, Overland Park -No
District 3 Michele Dombrosky, Olathe- No
District 4 Ann Mah, Topeka -Yes
District 5 Jean Clifford, Garden City -No
District 6 Deena Horst, Salina-No
District 7 Ben Jones, Sterling- No
District 8 Kathy Busch, Wichita-Yes
District 9 Jim Porter, Fredonia -Yes
District 10 Jim McNiece, Wichita-Yes
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The Kansas State Board of Education will conduct a Special State Board meeting Wednesday to discuss the governor's proposed executive order to delay the reopening of public and private elementary, middle and high schools for three weeks from mid-August until Sept. 9.
Click here to watch the meeting that begins at 10a.m.
Kansas law requires the state school board’s approval for a delay.
The Board Meeting Agenda
1. Call to Order — Chairman Kathy Busch
2. Roll Call
3. Mission Statement and Pledge of Allegiance
4. Approval of Agenda
5. Discussion of proposed Executive Order 20-58
6. Act on Resolution 2020-1
ADJOURNMENT