Johnson County schools ordered to close through April 5 for coronavirus concerns
Johnson County health officials on Monday ordered all schools to close through April 5 to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.
The order, signed by Johnson County public health officer Joseph LeMaster, includes Shawnee Mission, Blue Valley, Olathe, De Soto, Spring Hill and Gardner Edgerton school districts.
It was one of many sweeping restrictions officials in Kansas City and Johnson, Jackson and Wyandotte counties announced that evening. Those jurisdictions are closing movie theaters, banning many gatherings of 10 or more people and restricting restaurants to take-out or delivery only.
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas expanded his emergency declaration to include school closures, a move in conjunction with the 14 school districts that fall within Kansas City limits. More were expected to follow.
Johnson County districts had announced they were deep cleaning facilities while students are on spring break this week.
The Shawnee Mission school district sent a message to parents saying the district is “engaged in planning on how to manage this closure, including contingencies for how to respond if the closure extends beyond April 3.”
“In the meantime, we are currently working on meal distribution for children in need and will share that in a future communication. Staff will continue to be paid and will receive expectations for work after the conclusion of spring break,” the message said.
A parent of a student who attends Lenexa Hills Elementary School has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, Shawnee Mission Superintendent Mike Fulton said in a note to parents and staff on Saturday. Fulton wrote that the family is in isolation.
Johnson County on Monday reported its eighth presumed positive case.
Last week, the Kansas State Department of Education issued guidance to districts in case of a closure. With officials closing schools, districts have three options: Make up the missed time by June 30, submit a proposal to the state for online learning, or ask the state to waive the legally required number of days and hours that schools must be in session.
This story was originally published March 16, 2020 at 9:04 PM.
