The Dysart Unified School District governing board voted Aug. 26 to direct Superintendent Quinn Kellis to delay the opening of schools until Monday, Oct. 19, pending benchmark data.
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The Dysart Unified School District governing board voted Aug. 26 to direct Superintendent Quinn Kellis to delay the opening of schools until Mon. Oct. 19, pending benchmark data.
Additionally, if the data indicates it is safe to return to campus sooner, Dysart will adjust the return date. The district originally announced in July the extension of the remote learning period through the end of the first quarter — meaning in-person learning would resume Thursday, Oct. 19, after fall break ends.
“This has been an ongoing conversation with superintendent, the board and the attorney,” Mr. Kellis said. “And the attorney suggests ratifying the decision to delay the opening of school past the Aug. 17 date when the governor ended closure through executive order. The board does not have to take action on this but the attorney suggested the board should consider whether to or not to proceed with the vote.
“This is a unique agenda item where board can make a motion if no second the motion dies you can take action but don’t have to. Up to the board. A ‘yes’ vote means you would ratify the decision to delay the opening of in-person instruction.”
Mr. Kellis went on to say the interesting thing is county and state health officials made it clear schools should not open until it is safe to do so, and dashboard data is presented to indicate when it is safe.
“Regardless of how the board acts, the state and the county say the schools should stay closed,” Mr. Kellis said. “In essence the board would ratify the decision to stay closed, which is in compliance with state and county health guidelines. The attorney makes the suggestion merely on the fact it comes as a matter of policy showing action has been taken and voted on.”
Editor’s Note: Jennifer Jimenez can be reached at jjimenez@newszap.com or follow her on Twitter@SCW_Independent.
I am passionate about sports and community writing and shining the light on positivity, while delivering the facts. I have been with the Independent team for five months, but in the game for 15 years. I am a proud Grand Canyon University alumni. Born and raised in Peoria, I also am blessed to have a street named after me called Jennifer Rose Court.
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