Kansas Municipal News
Derby schools to stay in person through first half of February
Derby students will remain in classrooms for at least the first half of February. The gating committee for Derby Public Schools voted Wednesday to keep the district in the “yellow” column of its criteria chart, keeping students in person instead of a hybrid or online format. The gating committee’s latest decision lasts from Feb. 1 to Feb. 12. Committee members will meet again via Zoom at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10 to determine operations for Feb. 16 to Feb. 26.
Source: Derby Informer | News
Kansas 911 administrator blames three-hour outage on ‘technological anomaly’
Rep. John Carmichael questioned the reliability of the state’s 911 call handling system during a hearing Thursday on why the system went down for 3 hours and 20 minutes on Nov. 29. The Wichita Democrat said the outage demonstrates the failure of a backup system that was flagged as a risk by state auditors in 2018. “The bottom line is my constituent standing on the street with her husband dying as a result of a traffic accident — she couldn’t get through to anybody,” Carmichael said. “So the system we have right now doesn’t work, does it?” Scott Ekberg, an administrator for the 911 system, briefed lawmakers in a House panel about the Nov. 29 outage, which lasted from 1:30 to 4 p.m. He blamed the problem on equipment and software provided by AT&T but for security reasons declined to provide a copy of the analysis report conducted by AT&T of the root cause.
Source: Kansas Reflector
Divided Johnson County commission extends COVID rules on restaurants and gatherings
The Johnson County Board of Commissioners on Thursday extended limits on public gatherings and a midnight curfew on bars and restaurants through the end of March. The order, which was previously set to expire Jan. 31, limits public gatherings to 50 people, or 50% capacity of a venue, whichever is less. The gathering limit exempts shops, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, fitness centers, health care facilities, churches and funeral homes, as well as private gatherings. Commissioners voted 5-2 to extend the order through March 31, with the hope that the number of new COVID-19 cases will drop in the coming months while the vaccine becomes more widely available. The public health order was first approved in November, after commissioners agreed to add broad exemptions and weaken some of the rules recommended by health officials.
Source: Joco 913 News
Park City looks up as it plans to build a downtown
Park City wants to build something it doesn’t have, a downtown district. The 40-year-old city was built as an improvement district. It accommodates those who get off of the highway, but since becoming an official city, assistant city administrator Dana Walden said a group of dreamers wanted a downtown district. “We don’t have a downtown district, we’ve always wanted a downtown district,” said Dana Walden. While Covid slowed down the process, it did not stop the city leaders from moving forward on the plan.
Source: KSN-TV
Wichita Police Department to start up “Second Chance Thursdays” again
The Wichita Police Department is starting up “Second Chance Thursdays” again. Patrol West community police officers at 5803 W. Central will host the next event on Thursday, February 11th from 3pm to 10pm. If you have a traffic warrant that needs a new court date, this event is for you. They will also be helping with Notice to Appear warrants for anything, Probation Violation Warrants We are also helping with Notice to Appear warrants for anything, Probation Violation Warrants for anything, however UCC ( Uniform Criminal Complaint Warrants) and all other city bench warrants for criminal arrests are still bookable. These need to take place in person as you will need to sign new paperwork.
Source: KAKE – News
Sedgwick County lowers age restrictions for COVID vaccination; blocks county jumping
The Sedgwick County Health Department has opened its COVID-19 vaccination program to anyone 80 or older and is scheduling appointments for walk-in or drive-through vaccines next week, county officials announced Thursday afternoon. But no county jumping will be allowed. Only Sedgwick County residents can sign up for vaccines from the health department, Assistant County Manager Tim Kaufman said. That’s a major departure from guidance by the state’s top doctor, Kansas Department of Health and Environment Dr. Lee Norman, who said last week that “a resident can go into any county and get vaccinated.”
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
City of Manhattan facing budget issues, looking at raising taxes or cutting services
The city of Manhattan is facing a budget crisis and it could mean difficult decisions in the near future. This week, the Manhattan City Commission received an update from city departments. This includes an overview of 2020 and challenges going into this year and beyond. Assistant City Manager Jason Hilgers told KSNT News that the city relies too much on sales tax revenue. He said that revenue has been flat for more than a decade and saw a dip during the pandemic. This leaves the city with tough decisions to make about the future. “It gets complicated to maintain revenue streams, but yet your costs go up,” Hilgers said. “You can erode a few pots of money, but it’s not a sustainable approach and we have eroded those. It’s reached a point now where we either are raising revenues or we are going to reduce services.”
Source: KSNT News
Replacement mask mandate passed in Washington County
The Board of County Commissioners has approved a new county-wide mask mandate. This mandate replaces the statewide mandate that Washington County has been under since late November. The new, local mandate is less stringent than the state-wide mandate and requires people to wear masks both indoors and outdoors in public spaces when unable to maintain 6 feet of distancing. The provisions do not apply to people who live together, and residential property and private offices or workspaces that are not open to customers or public visitors are exempt. County attorney Elizabeth Baskerville Hiltgen told the commissioners this week that the authority for local governments to opt out of the state-wide mandate was scheduled to end on Jan. 26. If Washington County did not opt out of the state mandate and create their own prior to Jan. 26, they could have potentially lost the ability to implement less stringent provisions or opt out in the event the statutory authority allowing counties to do so was not extended.
Source: www.backroadsnews.com/
Wyandotte County is confident it can vaccinate thousands over the next few weeks
Wyandotte County is confident it can vaccinate thousands over the next few weeks. Of course, it all depends upon supply. U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids said that a shortage of COVID-19 vaccine is holding up progress on fighting the virus. On Thursday, state Rep. Louis Ruiz received the first dose of the vaccine at the Wyandotte County vaccination center. “We don’t care who you are or where you are in Wyandotte County, if you’re a resident, I want your arm and I want to stick a needle into it,” said Bob Bennett, director of vaccinations for Wyandotte County. Bennett said his goal is to vaccinate 25,000 county residents a week. But that requires a key ingredient in short supply.
Source: KMBC.com
Kansas expects over $1 billion in federal coronavirus relief funding
Kansas anticipates getting at least $1.1 billion from the latest federal coronavirus relief and expects to spend about half of it on K-12 schools, higher education and grants for child care. State data shows about $168 million is earmarked for testing, tracing and mitigation. Another $26 million is planned for vaccine distribution. How the money is spent is dictated by federal law. The new funding, which follows $1.03 billion in federal aid received last year, arrives as the state is working to speed up vaccinations. Governor Laura Kelly received her second dose Wednesday and used the occasion to urge continued caution, saying “we all must remain vigilant.”
Source: Country 101.3 KFDI
Counties take lead as residents await vaccine
As counties across Kansas are ramping up to carry out Phase 2 of the state’s COVID19 vaccination plan, Osage County is tracking things the old-fashioned way. With residents age 65 and older, as well as essential workers, now eligible for the vaccine, phones are ringing off the hook in the county of 17,000 residents south of Topeka. One of the county’s five staff members fielded over 100 calls in just one hour from residents seeking a vaccine appointment, and county health administrator Jackie Patterson said that has been a normal volume in recent days.
Source: Garden City Telegram.
Municipal Bond Trends for January 27, 2021
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. Every issuer’s credit is different. For rates that may be applicable to your municipality, contact our Municipal Bond Advisors, Larry Kleeman and Beth Warren.
Valley Center looking at quiet zones
The Valley Center City Council on Jan. 19 took a step toward creating a railroad quiet zone across the city. The council directed the city’s engineering firm to put together a proposal to thoroughly study the possibility. The study would include an evaluation of the measures that have to be taken to further protect train intersections to alleviate the use of train horns. Council members said they often hear complaints about train noise in town.
Source: Ark Valley News
Sedgwick downtown no longer looks the same after transformation
The last two years have seen quite a transformation of downtown Sedgwick. First the City purchased the empty medical building, and while it was still new, they remodeled to make it functional as a City Hall. Then they completely remodeled the old City Hall and turned it into a new, bright library. These early weeks of 2021 are significant in the continued downtown transformation.
First, the Sodality Room and Truly You held a ribbon cutting last weekend, offering tours for residents to see the now beautiful insides of a building that not long ago had been condemned and near collapse. Mayor Bryan Chapman told those in attendance that the building had been around since the late 1800’s and Owner Rebecca Whistler had done the city a great service by remodeling and preserving the building.
Source: Harvey County Now
Merriam considers banning pedestrians from busy medians, but some worry it won’t address causes of panhandling
Motorists traveling near Interstate 35 and Shawnee Mission Parkway may have seen individuals standing or sitting in medians, often asking for money or food. Now, Merriam city officials are considering prohibiting pedestrians from standing, sitting or otherwise being in nine major intersections across the city, citing concerns for driver and pedestrian safety. But some worry such a prohibition may put extra burdens on people already struggling on the margins of society without addressing the deeper roots of the problem.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Residents can help plan for public art in Johnson County parks
Johnson County Park and Recreation District (JCPRD) has launched a new Public Art Program. The goal is to embed public art into park spaces, trails, and facilities to enhance and enrich the experience for visitors. JCPRD is undergoing a public art master plan to establish a road map for this program and seeks citizen involvement to make the plan reflective of the community. ”The COVID-19 pandemic brought patrons to JCPRD parks in record numbers, said Executive Director Jeff Stewart. “The community has a renewed appreciation for the role parks play in our overall health and well-being. We have always been about providing spaces for recreation, gathering, and experiencing nature. It will soon include the chance to encounter art in JCPRD facilities and natural spaces.”
Source: Prairie Village Post
Vaccinations slow but ramping up
Allen County currently gets about 100 doses of COVID-19 vaccine a week. The supply chain filters from manufacturers to the federal governments, to states and then to county health departments who will allocate it as needed. The county is nearing the end of Phase 1. Volunteers are sought for a vaccination clinic. It’s going to take a bit of time and a lot of patience before most Allen County residents can get a COVID-19 vaccine, but the local health department is starting to develop a plan for when that time comes.
Source: The Iola Register
Federal Reserve leaves interest rates and asset purchases unchanged, sees growth slowing
The Federal Reserve kept its foot to the floor Wednesday in terms of the help it is providing for an economy that central bank officials say has slowed down. Consistent with market expectations, the policymaking Federal Open Market Committee said it was keeping its benchmark short-term borrowing rate anchored near zero and maintaining an asset purchasing program that is seeing the Fed buy at least $120 billion a month. At the core of the move to keep policy historically accommodative was an economy in which the sectors most vulnerable to the pandemic are taking the hardest hit.
Source: CNBC – Bonds
Sedgwick County commissioners add citizens advisory boards to promote transparency, accountability
Sedgwick County commissioners continue to develop citizens advisory boards to keep elected officials accountable, while working to remain transparent. Commissioners Lacey Cruse and David Dennis created citizens advisory boards for their districts last year, while Commissioner Jim Howell will have the first meeting with his board next month. Commissioner Sarah Lopez is in the beginning stages of developing her own and the last commission is following suit it the near future. The citizens advisory boards are official groups formed by commissioners and the members are selected citizens who live in each district.
Source: KSN-TV
Marion’s drug dog earns her keep in 1st year
In her first year as a drug dog, Blue’s nose for illegal substances already has led to multiple drug busts for Marion’s city police. A few times, an arrest would not have been possible without her, said officer Aaron Slater, who serves as Blue’s handler for the department’s K-9 unit. “She has been working really well,” he said. “I’ve bonded with her for sure.”
Source: Marion County RECORD
Grant Opportunity: “WaterSMART Funding”
Through the WaterSMART Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects Reclamation provides 50/50 cost share funding to irrigation and water districts, tribes, states and other entities with water or power delivery authority for small water efficiency improvements that have been identified through previous planning efforts. Projects eligible for funding include installation of flow measurement or automation in a specific part of a water delivery system, lining of a section of a canal to address seepage, or other similar projects that are limited in scope.
More information is available here. The Bureau of Reclamation has published a notice of funding opportunity for the WaterSMART Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects. The notice of funding opportunity is available on grants.gov by searching for opportunity number R21AS00257. Applications are due on March 18, 2020, at 4 p.m. MDT. View Funding Opportunity
City officials will soon begin discussing proposal to allow accessory dwelling units in more Lawrence neighborhoods
City planners are moving forward with drafting a code change that would allow homeowners to build garage apartments and other smaller living quarters in all neighborhoods. The city will soon begin taking public input regarding the details of the code amendment, and it is expected to go to the Lawrence-Douglas County Metropolitan Planning Commission for consideration this summer. The local comprehensive plan as well as an affordable housing plan have called for expanding the areas where such living quarters, known as accessory dwelling units or ADUs, can be built, and city planner Sandy Day said the units can be used for a variety of purposes.
Source: LJWorld.com.
Municipal Bond Trends for January 26, 2021
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. Every issuer’s credit is different. For rates that may be applicable to your municipality, contact our Municipal Bond Advisors, Larry Kleeman and Beth Warren.
Johnson County voters approve $264M bond, tax increase for Shawnee Mission schools
Johnson County voters overwhelmingly approved a $264 million bond issue and property tax increase in the Shawnee Mission school district to rebuild and renovate schools, plus hire additional teachers as a way to address workload concerns. More than 49,600 voters cast ballots, which were due at noon Tuesday. According to the unofficial results, 69.4%, or 34,441 voters, approved the bond referendum, while 30.6%, or 15,178, voted against it.
Source: Joco 913 News
Douglas County approves plan to distribute Phase 2 vaccinations
Douglas County says it has approved an initial plan to begin distributing COVID-19 vaccines to groups identified in Phase 2 — residents 65 years and older, those who live and work in congregate settings and essential workers. “Doses right now are extremely limited based on the supply. Given that everyone in Phase 2 is considered critical and a priority, each group will receive an allocation of doses every week,” said Dan Partridge, director of Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health.
Source: KMBC.com
No more Shawnee Mission North Indians: District to drop all Native American mascots
Shawnee Mission North High School and three district elementary schools must retire their “Indians” and “Braves” mascots under a new policy after thousands petitioned for the change. The Shawnee Mission school board voted unanimously Monday to approve removing the mascots. The new policy states that school mascots must be culturally and racially appropriate, and that they may not be derogatory or offensive toward a person or class of people protected under the district’s nondiscrimination policy. North, which has had “Indians” as its mascot for almost a century, as well as Belinder, Shawanoe and Rushton elementary schools, will begin the process of finding new mascots.
Source: KC Star Local News
Labette County to buy air trailer for firefighters
Labette County commissioners on Monday agreed to buy a new air trailer for volunteer fire departments in the county to share. The trailer to be purchased from 1st Due Emergency Response Solutions in Bartlett will cost $93,320. The trailer will contain equipment to refill air tanks used by firefighters when they enter smoke-filled homes or respond to other emergencies that require them to use a self-contained breathing apparatus. The current truck uses older technology and does not fully refill the air tanks, commissioners heard. Oswego Fire Chief Jon Eck, Bartlett Fire Chief Perry Sorrell and Chetopa Fire Chief Bryan Midgett attended Monday’s meeting to discuss the need for the air trailer.
Source: Parsons Sun
Local pharmacies preparing to help give out COVID-19 vaccinations
Jenae Welch runs the Dandurand Drugstore at Central and Rock. Since December, she’s been working to get ready to help provide COVID-19 vaccines in Wichita, but there was a concern. “One of my biggest questions about this rollout was how Pfizer or Moderna, both saying that we can produce this many vaccines, how are we going to get those into people’s arms,” said Welch. Before, the only workers at pharmacies allowed to give the shots were the pharmacists themselves. Now, a new federal rule allows technicians to be trained to provide the shot. “That’s going to help us be able to administer more on a daily basis,” said Welch.
Source: KAKE – News
CDC Makes The Case For Schools Reopening
A review of data from K-12 schools that reopened for in-person instruction in the fall has found little evidence that schools contributed meaningfully to the spread of COVID-19, according to a new article published Tuesday in JAMA, the journal of the American Medical Association. The review from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, authored by three of its scientists, represents the clearest view yet of the facts behind what has become a heated debate over when and how schools should reopen. Last spring and into fall, schools across the country closed — and many remain closed — out of fear that allowing students and staff to return to school buildings would drive communitywide spread of the virus, much as nursing homes and crowded bars have done.
Source: KMUW
Lawrence launches traffic education campaign to go along with reduced speed limit and upcoming traffic enforcement
A new traffic campaign wants to encourage Lawrence drivers to think about more than just getting to their destination. Lawrence residents have long voiced concerns about speeding in neighborhoods and some motorists’ disregard for pedestrians and cyclists, and a new City of Lawrence campaign hopes to help address the problem. On Monday, the city launched the Safer Neighborhood Speeds education campaign, which has a slogan of “It starts with us” and encourages drivers to slow down, look out for others and stop for people wanting to cross the street. Engineering Program Manager Amanda Sahin said in an email to the Journal-World that more than 1,000 Lawrence residents helped determine the look and messaging of the campaign, which focuses on community-minded driving.
Source: LJWorld.com.
This city could become the first in Johnson County to decriminalize marijuana
Following the lead of Kansas City (MO), Prairie Village is looking into decriminalizing marijuana. It would be the first Johnson County city to reduce penalties for marijuana possession. City Council members Ian Graves and Inga Selders proposed the idea earlier this month, and the City Council unanimously agreed to have staff look into the legality of it. Prairie Village officials could consider stripping the crime from the city code, as Kansas City did last summer. Another option could be issuing citations for violations in lieu of municipal court. Graves pushed for the change because Prairie Village borders Missouri, where medical marijuana is legal, unlike in Kansas. He added that there already is a dispensary in the Waldo neighborhood on Wornall Road, not far from Prairie Village.
Source: KC Star Local News
Municipal Bond Trends for January 25, 2021
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. Every issuer’s credit is different. For rates that may be applicable to your municipality, contact our Municipal Bond Advisors, Larry Kleeman and Beth Warren.
A Kansas town recorded 9 inches of snow as Wichita broke rain record with freeze coming
A winter storm on Monday largely spared Wichita of snow, but another round of wintry weather could hit the city on Tuesday. Meteorologists predict the second round will hit harder in north-central Kansas, just like the stronger storm on Monday. Forecasters with National Weather Service had always predicted the worst of Monday’s “powerful winter storm” would mostly miss Wichita. The highest snowfall amounts were predicted farther north, with some counties near the Nebraska border bracing for up to a foot of snow.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Wichita hospitals remain ‘critical’ with full ICUs as Kansas COVID case counts improve
Wichita hospitals continue to have no available beds in their intensive care units, despite improving COVID-19 numbers locally and statewide. The Sedgwick County Health Department on Monday reported all approximately 208 ICU beds remain full at Ascension Via Christi and Wesley Medical Center hospitals. It marks the 13th straight week of full ICUs. Both hospitals have been managing through contingency operations, the health department has said. The hospital status remains “critical,” though the term has not been defined by county officials.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Bracing for yesterday’s storm in Russell
As parts of Kansas wait for the snow dump to come, drivers are doing their best to get out of the storm’s way before it has a chance to close any Kansas roads. “That’s a lot of snow,” Nathan Rowe said. The threat of as much as 14 inches of snow in Russell has long haul truck drivers like Rowe, and other travelers, scooting out of town faster than they drove in, trying to get out of the storm’s cross hairs before the snow starts coming down. Others, like Rick Eiser, aren’t as concerned, saying storms like the one bearing down on Kansas are just part of winter driving. Eiser says he just came to Kansas from Buffalo, NY, where they had 10 inches of snow in a single storm.
Source: KAKE – News
Some students return to classroom as USD 259 begins blended model
“There is without doubt, energy in the air. Energy from the teachers, energy from the students and excitement in the air.” That was the sentiment felt by Northwest High School Principal Eric Hofer-Holdeman as students return to the halls of his school for the first time in months. Monday was the first day of the district’s new blended on site learning model for middle and high school students. Of the nearly 60% of students who opted into coming back inside, half will be at school today and tomorrow and remote the rest of the week. The other half is flipped, meaning they are in school on Thursday and Friday.
Source: KAKE – News
Fort Scott names Jeremy Frazier as new City Manager
A Southeast Kansas community announces a new city manager. Jeremy Frazier has been named City Manager for the city of Fort Scott. City commissioners say Frazier brings over a decade of public sector experience, most recently as Assistant City Manager of El Reno, Oklahoma. Frazier has a bachelor’s degree in communication from the University of Oklahoma, and a master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Central Oklahoma. He will begin his new post February 1st.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Officials discuss general fund, budget at 2021 City of Manhattan retreat
Jason Hilgers, City of Manhattan deputy city manager, suggested to the Manhattan City Commission at a retreat last Friday that they consider a five-year plan for the general fund. The general fund, which is around $31 million this year, has stayed about the same the past five years. Hilgers says increasing it by a few percent each year could help the city keep up with operating expenses. “Those two, three, four percent increases allow us to keep doing our jobs – what’s expected of us,” Hilgers said. “When we go zeros or we’re expected to just use what we had last year, it’s a negative. We have to cut to do that. Costs go up.”
Source: 1350 KMAN
Gov. Kelly signs bill extending disaster declaration
Governor Laura Kelly today signed Senate Bill 14 into law, extending the State of Disaster Emergency Declaration to March 31, 2021, and allowing for the continuation of certain resources, support, and regulations critical to Kansas’ COVID-19 response efforts. “Extending the current disaster declaration is essential for our state’s COVID-19 mitigation efforts, allowing us to keep Kansans safe and healthy, keep our economy open, and get our kids back in school as quickly as possible,” Governor Laura Kelly said. Among other resources and support, the disaster declaration allows Kansas to provide community-based COVID-19 testing, provide support to food banks and pantries, and provide hospitals and first responders with Personal Protective Equipment.
Source: Atchison Globe Now
Wichita City Council to discuss ethics policy
Wichita city council members will talk about a proposed ethics policy during a workshop meeting Tuesday. Mayor Brandon Whipple said a policy has been one of his top goals since taking office. Mayor Whipple said the policy would set up an independent board to investigate allegations of unethical behavior against an elected official, and it would set up due process to allow an official to provide a defense. He said a chairman would be appointed by the mayor and vetted by the city council, and this person would be someone from the fields of law or academics. A six-person board would be made up of members from city advisory boards. Whipple said there would be penalties if someone is found guilty, and they would range from censure to a fine up to $1,000. There would also be limits on gifts that elected officials could accept.
Source: Country 101.3 KFDI
Municipal Bond Trends for January 22, 2021
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. Every issuer’s credit is different. For rates that may be applicable to your municipality, contact our Municipal Bond Advisors, Larry Kleeman and Beth Warren.
Barton County: 300 vaccines administered in 2 hours
In Barton County, it took health care staff only two hours to administer their 300 doses of the vaccine. Previously, the county has held two drive-thru vaccine clinics, but this time, it was first come, first serve. It was also the first time with no appointments needed. The staff had to turn residents away two hours before the drive-thru opened. Don Harrison was the first person to line up, at 7 am. He said he waited 8 and a half hours to get the vaccine. “It is so I can get back to work,” said Don Harrison. “I feel better now that I got it.”
Source: KSN-TV
Thousands preregistered, doses on the way as Ellis County sets up mass vaccination clinic
As phase two vaccinations roll out, Ellis County announced it will be taking steps toward vaccinating the masses both efficiently and effectively. The first phase of vaccines brought struggles of staffing, space, flow, and parking to many in the Ellis County medical community. “It was having a negative impact on staffing our clinic and as well as trying to administer doses, and so we knew that wasn’t sustainable,” said Bryan Brady, CEO of First Care Clinic. To overcome those obstacles in phase two, the local medical community — Ellis County Health Department, First Care Clinic, HaysMed, part of the University of Kansas Health Systems — along with Big Creek Crossing Mall have partnered to open a large-scale vaccination site where the entire county can get vaccinated as doses become available.
Source: KSN-TV
Survey reveals rural economic gains
The rural economy in parts of 10 Plains and Western states continues to grow, but rural bank CEOs say their biggest fears for the 2021 economy are excessive inflation and higher long-term interest rates, according to a new survey of bankers. The overall index of the Rural Mainstreet Survey improved to 52.0 in January from December’s 51.6 — the highest reading since before the onset last year of the coronavirus pandemic. Any score above 50 suggests a growing economy, while a score below 50 suggests a shrinking economy.
Source: The Iola Register
KS teachers: hybrid classes are no better than all-virtual
Hybrid learning has become the go-to compromise for Kansas’ largest school districts to get students back in classrooms. Districts in Lawrence, Topeka, Olathe and elsewhere rotate students between in-person and online lessons. Kids get physical time in front of a teacher without risking crowded classrooms during the pandemic. But some Kansas teachers say the hybrid model isn’t much better than keeping students online full-time. The constant shift from the classroom to the screen disrupts learning. Teachers say they have twice the workload while splitting their focus between online and in-person students, giving neither the attention they deserve.
Source: The Iola Register