SESSION OF 2021
SUPPLEMENTAL NOTE ON SENATE BILL NO. 235
As Recommended by Senate Committee on
Education

Brief*
SB 235 would require all unified school districts in the
State provide a full-time, in-person attendance option for all
students enrolled in kindergarten through grade 12 beginning
on March 26, 2021, for school year 2020-2021 and every
school year thereafter.
The bill would be in effect upon publication in the
Kansas Register.

Background
The bill was introduced by the Senate Committee on
Federal and State Affairs at the request of Senator
Masterson.
Senate Committee on Education
In the Senate Committee hearing, proponent testimony
was provided by Senator Masterson and a private citizen.
Written-only proponent testimony was provided by seven
private citizens. The proponents generally stated remote and
hybrid learning models have negatively impacted students,
including learning loss and increased anxiety and other
mental health issues. Further, the proponents noted concerns
about spreading COVID-19 were overstated and school
districts are capable of providing in-person learning with
preventative measures in place. The proponents also stated
____________________
*Supplemental notes are prepared by the Legislative Research
Department and do not express legislative intent. The supplemental
note and fiscal note for this bill may be accessed on the Internet at
http://www.kslegislature.org
this bill does not infringe upon the constitutional powers of the
local school boards regarding the operation of schools
because it only requires an in-person option; school boards
may continue to offer remote and hybrid learning models.
Neutral testimony was provided by a private citizen. The
conferee generally stated in-person learning is optimal, but
ensuring the safety of teachers and students is also
important. Written-only neutral testimony was also provided
by a representative of the American Heart Association.
Opponent testimony was provided by representatives of
the Garden City School Board (USD 457), Kansas
Association of School Boards, and Kansas National
Education Association. Written-only opponent testimony was
provided by representatives of the Kansas Chapter of
American Academy of Pediatrics and the State Board of
Education. The opponents generally stated in-person learning
is the goal of every school district, but concerns about the
health of teachers and students, the inability of every school
to provide social distancing and other preventative measures,
and the remaining unknowns about the vaccine’s
effectiveness against spread of COVID-19 are valid reasons
to maintain hybrid and remote learning. The opponents also
noted that constitutionally, the power to open and close
schools is a power granted to local school boards and this bill
would infringe on that power.
Fiscal Note
According to the fiscal note prepared by the Division of
the Budget on the bill, enactment of the bill would have no
fiscal effect.
Education; in-person learning; remote learning


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