The Kearney School District Board of Education held a special board meeting at noon on Saturday, August 14, to discuss the Superintendent's return to school plan.

Board President Mark Kelly started the meeting stating there were two reasons the board was reconvened. The first was that the Clay County Public Health Center decided to “highly recommend” masks in schools.

Kelly cited new exposures in school programs as the second reason for the meeting. “We have two teachers and a student who have contracted COVID this week in our summer school program,” he stated.

After discussion, a motion was made to, “authorize Dr. White to implement any appropriate mitigation processes to address the COVID pandemic as he believes is in the best interests of Kearney School District.”

The motion passed 4-3 with board members voting the same way they did for the Tuesday night vote, except for Dan Holloway who voted yes instead of abstaining. KPGZ News reached out to Holloway to ask why he decided to change his vote, and in a written statement he explained the board’s decision.

“The fact is all of us as Board members are volunteers and believe in our community and want the best out comes and safety for our teachers, children, friends, and fellow parents. Early on in Covid-19 we had parents threatening us that we need to do something for the safety and lives of all children. That was imperative to all of us,” he wrote.

“Things have evolved and it does become disheartening to know and learn from families that some children are having some physiological, psychological, and developmental concerns related to this difficult time we are all in. This clearly isn't a simple black and white answer nor is anything with human beings.”

The updated Return To School Plan states that KSD will operate at full capacity and with in-person teaching and learning. Field trips will be allowed, as will singing, playing instruments and other performance activities. The document also states universal, indoor masking is required for all students, KSD staff members and visitors regardless of vaccination status. Students and adults are also required to wear face coverings on school busses.

Officially sanctioned KSD school events and activities will also be allowed at full capacity and with all of the mitigation steps outlined in the document. This will include extracurricular activities such as theater and athletic events. All students and adults will be required to wear masks while attending indoor events, activities, performances, competitions, etc., on KSD property.

The updated Return To School Plan can be found here.

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story