Kansas City Public Schools Not Reopening (7-21-20)

Kansas City Public Schools Not Reopening (7-21-20)

Kids won't be returning to the classroom in the kansas city public school district as the school year begins.

That announcement came this morning -- from kansas city's school superintendent .

The order affects more than 15-thousand students.

Administrators citing the rising numbers of coronavirus cases in the region .

Reporter matt flener has the district's plan moving forward.

<<:27 the optimal way that we have always done things is not a valid option at this point.

3:31 you won't see students in school buildings.

To start the school year in kcps.

1:55 i was adamant two weeks ago, that some form of in person we have to do.

2:01 but superintendent dr. mark bedell says spikes in covid cases in kansas city's poorest neighborhoods.

Take picture of kcmo outline seen here with darker blue outlines on this map.

Take file video of school show it's not smart to send 15,000 kids and more than 2,100 staff staff back to school.

10:20 i have a high percentage of minorities that work in this school district and the data suggests that in a very disproporationate manner that a lot of our african american community members are coming down with this virus.

10:30 take oasis graphic dr. bedell also telling parents in this letter.

Gfx parents "the kansas city health department issued new and updated guidance stating that in-person school was not advised in kansas city."

That apparently came during a series of zoom calls last week with health deparment leaders.

But, there was no official guidance from the department as of monday morning for other schools.

Meanwhile, dr. bedell says his decision was tough -- but the right one.

11:10 when you look at the data right now, anybody who would be in my situation where these cases are right inside of our boundaries, saying let's disregard this data, and everybody still needs to come back, i think you have to be questioning as a leader.>> today, kansas city mayor quinton lucas and city health officials released their reccomendations for how students within the city limits should return to school safely.

They advised that schools should start after labor day.

This would align with schools in kansas here's a