Speaker Ron Ryckman (R-Olathe), Majority Leader Dan Hawkins (R-Wichita), and Speaker Pro Tem Blaine Finch (R-Ottawa) issued the following statement regarding the governor's announcement to delay Kansas school openings:
"The safety of our Kansas children must come first, but children's needs for education, socialization and the many other services they receive through our schools are also vital. Those same legislators the governor criticized today are the ones who voted to fully fund our schools and close an achievement gap that current decisions threaten to widen. This issue is too important to play partisan politics. That is exactly why we passed HB 2016 so no governor would have unilateral power and instead we would have checks and balances to decisions like this one that affect our children, our families and our schools."
"The governor has made her recommendation but ultimately this is up to the State Board of Education. They will have final say next week. We encourage all Kansans to contact the members of the State Board of Education with your views on when schools should open."
