Wichita schools warn parents of potential school closures

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — The Wichita school district is warning parents that temporary school closures may be necessary because so many teachers are out sick. Meanwhile, cities in the Kansas City area are introducing new mask mandates amid a rise in COVID-19 cases. The Wichita Eagle reports that Superintendent Alicia Thompson told parents in an email that the district hopes to give parents two to three days’ notice before closing schools, but she couldn’t promise decisions won’t be made more quickly. The Bonner Springs and El Dorado districts already have canceled classes. The Johnson County cities of Roeland Park, Mission and Prairie Village will require that masks be worn in public places starting Tuesday.