LAWRENCE, Kan. — A few school districts in Kansas and Missouri have created task forces to make decisions on the upcoming school year.
"We are working with our teachers and working with our students around what are the best practices as we continue to get guidance from the CDC and guidance from our health department," said Kanas City, Missouri, Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Mark Bedell said.
School administrators are trying to figure out how to bring everyone back to school in August amid the Coronavirus pandemic.
The Lawrence School District is in the process of figuring out its plan. To help, more than 200 administrators, teachers and staff have come together on a task force.
"They are forming our, 'Together gain task force,'" Lawrence School District Superintendent Dr. Anthony Lewis said. "They are looking at operations. Safe and health is the number one priority. We are also looking at what academics will look like."
Lewis said this task force is essential in giving his students the best chance at an education during a pandemic.
"I thought it was vital to engage in those conversations early because we are essentially redesigning school in a matter of months. It is important that I have as many voices at the table as possible," Lewis said.
Bedell and Kansas City Public Schools have a similar task force.
"Our team is working; We probably about 25 work groups that are working on all of these different scenarios," Bedell said.
School districts essentially want these groups to prepare for the worst, but hope for the best when it comes to learning and safety of students.
"Will it be perfect? Probably not. But, I wanted to make sure that we have all of the what if's addressed as much as much on the front end," Lewis said.
