Governor Laura Kelly ordered all Kansas schools to be closed for the remainder of the school year. The decision to close, announced during a press conference today in Topeka to combat the growing COVID-19 pandemic, affects all K-12 schools in the state.

“Unprecedented circumstances threaten the safety of our students and the professionals who work with them every day,” Kelly said.

At this time, it is unclear what the district’s plans are regarding school activities such as online learning, prom and graduation. 

All superintendents have received information regarding the closings and are expected to release district-specific directions in the next 24 hours.

The decision to close schools came after multiple recommendations from the Center for Disease Control to limit the amount of large group social interactions and many schools and colleges extending their spring breaks.

In a letter to the student body, principal Chris Botts addressed the decision.

“There are so many questions right now, and we will continue to learn more and more each day about what this means to each of us,” Botts said. “These certainly are uncharted waters, so we will take it day by day.”

Additionally, superintendent Chad Higgins released an email to parents regarding the district’s plans.

“We do not anticipate delivering any kind of instruction to our students prior to March 30,” Higgins said. “We are committed to supporting continuous learning through April and May.”

Higgins said the district’s food service department is preparing to continue providing for families, and more information will come in the following weeks.

“We realize today’s announcement raises many questions for us all,” Higgins said. “We will continue to work to address those in the coming days and weeks and appreciate your patience.”

This story will continue to be updated as new information is released.