Kansas Governor Laura Kelly announced through a press briefing Wednesday that she will issue an exeutive order that will delay the opening of public schools until after Labor Day. As COVID-19 numbers continue to rise throughout the state, Kelly said she is delaying the opening of schools to allow school districts ample time to prepare for changes that must be made this fall.

Governor Kelly will also issue an exeuctive order making masks, social distancing, and temperature checks mandatory at all public schools, regardless of the county's own decision regarding the earlier mask mandate. Kelly said this decision comes after seeing what happens when orders are voluntary.

Education Commissioner Randy Watson and Dr. Lee Norman were also on hand at the briefing to share more details about the spread of the virus. Watson said particularly that while it is important to get children back into school, safety must always come first.

More information will be available on our website as it becomes available.