FSCC, schools take precautions for COVID-19

Educational institutions in Bourbon County have put changes in place in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

Fort Scott Community College

A statement issued March 15 by FSCC President Alysia Johnston states the college has been following KDHE and Kansas State Department of Education guidelines for closing schools.

“There are no specific guidelines for community colleges in Kansas as we are locally governed,” Johnston said. “We have students travel to campus from a wide geographical area which exposes our campus community and makes FSCC more vulnerable to the possible spread of infection.

“With this in mind, we have decided to immediately being spring break from March 16 through March 27.”

In the statement, Johnston said starting March 30, FSCC will transition to online instruction delivered through the college’s learning management system, Blackboard, for all general education courses. All courses, even those beginning the semester online, will observe the two-week break in classes. No instruction, exams, quizzes, attendance or material will be required of the students during this two-week period. Johnston said students should “adjust schedules accordingly, and do not make exceptions to this guidance.”

All technical instruction at the Career and Technical Education Center, Allied Health courses specific to high school students, welding and construction trades at the Miami County campus, construction trades at the La Harpe campus, agricultural technology (John Deere and welding) at the Fort Scott campus, Allied Health courses specific to high schools on the Burke Street campus, and Harley-Davidson will continue face-to-face instruction beginning March 3. (A specific link of courses meeting face-to-face will be posted prior to noon Monday, March 16.)

“We will evaluate the situation through consultation with state and local agencies to determine a timeline for the resumption of on-campus classes,” Johnston said.

The following will be FSCC’s schedule of operations:

• March 16-27, spring break (no classes or instruction.)

• March 16-20, employees report to campus as scheduled.

• March 30, online instruction begins for all general education courses; face-to-face technical program instruction resumes.

• Standard employee hours resume.

• FSCC will remain with online instruction for general education courses for the remainder of the semester.

Faculty will be expected to remain on campus March 16-20 for the implementation of online course delivery. Workshops and resources will be provided to faculty as they prepare to transition their classes to an online modality. Employees who the CDC indicates are at-risk due to age or medical necessity may contact his or her direct supervisor to request workplace modifications or leave time, the statement said.

FSCC administrators are working with human resources to determine a plan and staffing requirements that will accommodate student needs on campus and to support college operations during this time. The campus is open and staff are expected to report to work at their usual time.

Citing recommendations by the CDC, as well as state and local health organizations, all on-campus events will be cancelled or postponed until further notice. This includes campus tours, college recruitment events and events hosted by outside organizations within campus facilities. This also includes meetings and/or lunches hosted on campus by local civic organizations, the statement said.

Students who currently live in the college dorms, who have no other place to reside, will be allowed to remain in the dorms. Students are allowed to stay in the dorms until March 20, but are encouraged to check out permanently for the semester during this timeframe.

FSCC will also adhere to a ruling by the National Junior College Athletic Association that all athletic events will be cancelled through April 3.

“At FSCC we are making decisions based on thoughtful review of available information, and working in conjunction with the Bourbon County Health Department, Emergency Management, and also state and federal agencies,” Johnston said. “The continuous monitoring of critical information and a phased approach in our response concerning campus events, athletic events, and alternative methods of instruction allows us the opportunity to be flexible in our approach to a rapidly evolving public health issue.

“The decisions being made prioritize the safety and health of all faculty, staff, students, and community. These decisions are aimed at minimizing the impact of this public health issue. This situation is continually evolving and future guidance will be provided as new information becomes available.”

Further notifications regarding COVID-19 can be found on the FSCC website at www.fortscott.edu/node/2399.

USD 234

In a March 16 statement on the district’s website, USD 234 Superintendent Ted Hessong addressed the issue of food service should district schools not be open after spring break. Hessong said the district will provide food service to its students.

Robin Button, food service director, is working on applying for a waiver from the Kansas Department of Education and then will devise a plan on how to provide food to our students. We hope to have this plan completed by Wednesday, March 18 and we will share the information with everyone once it is completed. The district is not able to provide food service to students during the scheduled spring break because the school district was already scheduled to be closed during this week, Hessong said.

On March 15, Hessong said Dr. Randy Watson, Kansas Commissioner of Education, has “strongly recommended all Kansas school districts be closed March 15-20. This recommendation is supported by the governor of Kansas, state legislators and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.”

“Since USD 234 is on Spring Break the week of March 15-20, this does not affect our days of attendance for our school district,” Hessong said “All buildings will be closed except for essential personnel designated by the district office. There will be no practices or activities allowed during Spring Break.”

Hessong said district administrators and some personnel planned to meet Wednesday, March 18 to consider any plans regarding the school day and the USD 234 calendar of events based on guidance from the Commissioner of Education and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment if and when our schools could be open. We will share more information as it becomes available.

On March 13, Hessong issued a statement regarding the district’s procedures related to COVID-19. If KDHE directs the school district to close its school buildings due to the coronavirus, the district has three options:

• Make up the missed time prior to June 30; submit a proposal to KSDE for online learning that can be counted as time in school; submit to Dr. Watson and the State Board of Education to waive the legally required number of days and hours that school must be in session. Other current guidance from KDHE for school operations as students return from spring break includes the following:

• Thresholds for events and school attendance — Current guidance is to allow gatherings of up to 100 people. Gatherings of more than 100 people should be avoided.

• Interactions with others where a 6-foot perimeter between individuals is not maintained should last no longer than 10 minutes.

• Classroom sizes should be limited based on the size of the classroom and the ability to provide 6-foot spacing between each person in the room.

• Cafeterias should limit the number of individuals being served based on the ability to provide 6-foot spacing between each person.

• Wipe down surfaces between class changes — or engage students to help before being released.

USD 235

USD 235 Superintendent Bret Howard also addressed food service in the district in a statement released March 16 on the district’s website.

“In accordance with helping parents and students during the Coronavirus Pandemic, lunches to be made available to students starting Tuesday, March 17. Sack lunches may be picked up at the following locations between 11:45 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17, and Thursday, March 19: Uniontown (WBE main entrance outside); Redfield (Marmaton Community Church – west side); Bronson (Bronson Locker); and Mapleton (City Park).

“Each day there will be breakfast items and lunch items available to students for two days. Tuesday will have (Tuesday lunch, Wednesday Breakfast, Wednesday lunch, and Thursday Breakfast.) Thursday will have (Thursday lunch, Friday Breakfast, and Friday Lunch.) Please understand, we will only have the above-mentioned pick up points. We will be unavailable to deliver door-to-door. If you plan to participate we ask that you call Food Service Director Michelle DeMott (620-238-4968) and let her know as well as the number of student-meals, you want to pick up. Also, please understand that the students will need to be there to pick up the meals. We are not able to let adults pick up meals for students with no students present.”

District officials have also placed a link for current information relating to the coronavirus on its website at www.uniontown235.org. There is a red button at the top of the page titled “COVID-19 information.”

Howard said in a March 15 statement all district schools will be closed Monday, March 16 through Friday, March 20.

“Effective immediately, all district events and extracurricular activities are canceled until the district reopens or further notice. This includes all district-sponsored PD, athletics, fine arts, clubs, and group events. This also includes the weight room and Fitness Center. Spring Break, which is March 23-27, will continue as scheduled. Closing all schools during this period of time provides Kansas officials and USD 235 administration the time needed to finalize a comprehensive plan for how to address COVID-19.

“While the district is closed, the District Crisis Response Team and essential personnel for this evolving situation will continue to consult with local health authorities and convene virtually and regularly in order to conduct a full and ongoing assessment of risks for students and staff.

“We encourage our students and staff to follow recommended social distancing and healthy hygiene habits provided by KDHE and the Bourbon County Health Department.”