Investigation Prompts KSD to Revisit Return to School Plan
/The Kearney School District is one of many Northland districts that will be revising its Covid-19 Return to School Plan this month. The school district received a cease and desist letter from Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt on Thursday, December 9, due to parent complaints that the district was not abiding by a Cole County court decision to stop enforcing any mask mandates and quarantine orders.
I take any refusal by school officials to abide by the court’s order and comply with state law very seriously - Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt
On Tuesday, December 7, Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt sent a letter to local public health agencies and school districts informing them of the Cole County Circuit Court’s decision in Robinson v. Missouri Dept. of Health and Senior Services. The ruling requires school districts and health agencies to stop enforcing any mask mandates, quarantine orders, or any other public health orders that are null and void under the judgment. (Read the story here) https://1027kearneymo.com/kpgz-news/2021/12/8/school-districts-disregard-attorney-general.
In the letter, Schmitt also indicated that he is opening an investigation into the actions of the school district as to an alleged failure to follow the law. The letter specifically stated:
This letter also serves as notice that I am hereby opening an investigation into the actions of your school district as to the alleged failure to follow the law in this matter.
In addition, I request copies of the following public records pursuant to Chapter 610 of the Missouri Revised Statutes:
1. All emails sent or received by the superintendent (including his or her staff) or Board of Education members (including the board secretary) relating to the Attorney General’s letter dated December 07, 2021, regarding unconstitutional health mandates.
2. All emails sent or received by the superintendent (including his or her staff) or Board of Education members (including the board secretary) relating to the Cole County Circuit Court’s ruling in Robinson v. Missouri Dept. of Health and Senior Services, 20AC-CC00515).
3. All emails sent or received by the superintendent (including his or her assistant) or Board of Education Members (including the board secretary) relating to the district’s COVID mitigation protocols beginning on November 22, 2021, through the date of this letter.
In a letter to Kearney School District parents, Interim Superintendent Todd White explained why the school district decided to disregard the Attorney General’s notification, and proceed with its current Covid-19 mitigation efforts.
On Thursday the Kearney School District received the cease and desist letter from the Attorney General that advised it to immediately stop all mandates related to face masks, vaccinations, quarantines, or health orders.
Director of Communications Ray Weikal told KPGZ News that the school district is now revising its Return to School Plan. “The goal of the Return to School Plan is to keep kids safe and in school,” said Weikal. “We understand and hear all voices, and know the circumstances have changed.”
Weikal went on to say that district staff is now revising the Return to School Plan to reflect the court’s decision. The revised plan will be submitted to the school board at the Wednesday, December 15 meeting, when the board will vote on its implementation. Weikal anticipates the new plan will get board’s consent and the new plan could be put into place on December 23.
Link to Attorney General Schmitt Full Letter
Link to Cole County Circuit Court Judgement
KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story
