Keeping an eye on Shawnee Mission School District since 2016.
Shawnee Mission, KS
Joined June 2019
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The teacher that we mentioned last week who wrote the mean-spirited, close-minded op-ed about SMSD's diversity work? She got picked up by Fox News.
We're going to send her some safety pins tomorrow to remind her that SMSD is a district devoted to making all kids feel safe.
Her name is Caedran Sullivan. She's an English teacher at North. She's here on Twitter @sullykc11.
We are typically extremely loyal to teachers, who we believe are almost always doing their absolute best for students. But this time we aren't on the teacher's side.
Summary and thoughts about the state of things over on Facebook.
We know we need to pick a platform and stick with it. Just waiting for Mark or Elon to implode and then the decision will be made for us.
You can watch the board meeting along with us here: youtube.com/watch?v=YJxV0GHy…
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Elizabeth Ault Ramírez was next. She spoke about the need for equitable and trustworthy translation services. Powerful and true.
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Hey hey hey! We are back and the SMSD School Board Meeting is starting. We are here to help you follow along. Let’s do this! It’s public comment time.
During comments:
Borgman asks for the community to give grace. Folks in the audience are heckling.
Sinclair, Ousley skip the opportunity to comment.
Goodburn says it was a tough decision, but her husband's cousin passed away from Covid. Folks continue to heckle.
Voting now: Proposal D passes with all votes yes except for Stratton.
SMSD will universally mask. We approve.
Stratton: Is there anything that addresses extracurricular guidelines?
Hubbard: We will follow KESHA guidelines.
Fall sports are outside except for Volleyball.
Hembree addressing Stratton and Hubbard's concern about enforcement, and saying that it's time to own the problem. It is the school board's role.
Stratton asking if the staff can opt out. Hubbard says no.
Goodburn noting that the commission said until the end of the school year for K - 6. Proposal D allows for a removal of secondary mask mandate if SMSD chooses.
Ousley now citing the Legislature's law (HB 2134) that will keep kids from learning.
Borgman saying she supports D because quarantined kids will be lonely.
Sinclair describing how the characteristics of the Delta variant require a different approach.
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Stratton says he'll vote for C. Why would we vote for D when the county won't back us up?
Guy says it's the CDC, and more information, and learning from districts that have already opened up (shit show style... our words - not hers.)
Hembree saying we have to encourage vaccinations because that's the only way out. Masking is a bridge, but she wants to make sure we focus on encouraging vaccinations.
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There's some comments coming from the audience, but there is no public comment portion this evening.
Borgman asking how hard it would be to keep kids in school if we go with Proposal C.
Head nurse weighing in now. Describing how the minimum quarantine is 8 days.
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Guy moves for approval of Proposal D. Borgman seconds.
Hubbard says that the board should consider the ThoughtExchange and that there isn't any way to enforce 7 - 12 in Proposal D.
Sinclair says it's about getting and keeping kids in school.
Hubbard is pro-Proposal C.
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It's started with an update from Hubbard.
Staff can't opt out anymore because of the board of commissioners mandates, so "Proposal C" has been updated.
Proposal D mirrors the language of Proposal C identically, except it adds 7 - 12.
Now they discuss.
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The agenda is essentially a single question - stick with mandates for elementary kids, or expand to universal masking?
We are sane and believe in science, so we think the universal masking is the better choice.
We know a lot of folks disagree with us, but they're wrong.
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Hey Folks - there's a special board meeting starting at 5:00. You can watch it with us (youtube.com/watch?v=wYvBZtk9…)
It's all about mask mandates. Stellar (<- sarcasm) Johnson County Board of Commissioners meeting today created a mask mandate for elementary kids.
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Next meeting is on Aug 9th. So I have until then to figure out how to livestream the pubic comments for you. Stay engaged and don't get ear deformations! Byeee :-)
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