-->

Kansas Senate bill to resume K-12 in-person classes advances

By Madison Parry

The Kansas Senate approved a measure 26-12 on Wednesday that would require public school districts across the state to offer in-person classes to all students by March 26. The bill now proceeds to the House.

A proposal introduced by Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson (R.) was passed by the state Senate on Wednesday 26-12, sending it to the House of Representatives.

The measure pushes for the state to require all Kansas public school districts to offer in-person classes to all students by March 26.

A decline in COVID-19 cases over recent weeks have further fueled supporters of the bill who, like Masterson, argue that a vast portion of students being kept from in-person learning are suffering academically and emotionally and need to return to the classroom setting.

On Monday, the Kansas Senate approved another bill that would strictly allow local schools boards to cancel in-person classes.

With the passage of the K-12 measure, state lawmakers are also considering proposals to rewrite Kansas’ emergency management laws.