The Wichita school board has approved a plan to move all students in the district into remote learning by the end of the week.
The board met Monday night and agreed to begin a transition process on Wednesday, December 2nd, with all students in remote learning by Friday, December 4th. This will affect around 13,000 students in elementary schools who have been attending in-person classes. Middle school and high school students have already been in remote learning programs this year.
The move is a response to the COVID-19 pandemic and a new health order in Sedgwick County that calls on employers to allow employees to work remotely as much as possible.
During Monday’s meeting, school superintendent Dr. Alicia Thompson said there are 22 schools in the district that have 20 percent or more of staff members in quarantine. There have been 334 active coronavirus cases among staff members with 1,137 staff members in quarantine. Four school buildings, Levy, Mueller, Payne and White, have moved to full remote learning because of staffing issues.
Students should report to school on Tuesday and more information will be provided on the remote learning plan. Nutrition services will continue.
