By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Mark Tallman with the Kansas Association of School Boards says with regard to the education legislation out there right now, its important that legislators think about some of the potential unintended consequences if some proposals pass as written.
"There's a bill on Thursday in the Senate that would require that all students be given an in person learning option by March 26," Tallman said. "We think almost all districts will be back by then. In fact, most districts in the state are already doing so, but not always full time. One thing about this bill, although it would appear to be in response to the current pandemic, it would last forever, really, going forward. There are some concerns among school boards that even if you like the idea, that this bill may be too restrictive."
It's okay to be out of school, but all kids need to be the same, as the bill is written.
"You don't have to necessarily be offering school, but if you do, you have to give that option," Tallman said. "If there is an emergency, not necessarily the COVID pandemic, just an outbreak of flu, school districts could not go to a hybrid option or a remote option, even for a short period of time."
Tallman isn't sure that's the actual intent of the bill.
"We know how frustrated people are with this," Tallman said. "The question is whether we should just eliminate one option or tool in all cases going forward. The philosophy is, at what point should the state come in and say, we're going to tell you when you have to be in school regardless of the circumstances. That will be the debate."
This would seem to be another area where the Legislature is not leaving decisions in the hands of other elected officials. This often happens in education in particular, between the state board of education and local school boards.
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