District 153 candidates weigh in on return to school

All three candidates for the Missouri House of Representative District No. 153 seat agree on the importance of education, but with slightly different perspectives on the coming year.

Butler County school districts and others around the state are releasing plans for how to bring students back on campus while considering the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many schools released three plans based on the rate of COVID cases and concern of infection in the area.

Under Plan A, students return to campus as usual with additional cleaning and sanitation protocol in place. Plan B is a hybrid system, with some digital and distance learning in place. With Plan C, students would remain at home and do school through digital programs.

Candidate Darrell Atchison said the decision about putting students back in the classroom should be largely a local decision.

“I just think (it should be) local school districts and how they can work things out with guidance from the health department and from the state,” he said.

Candidate Jack “Skip” Johnson said he has no problem with the schools reopening their doors.

Meanwhile, candidate Larry Kimbrow said, he’s working on learning more about area school districts’ plans for return to learn though discussions with superintendents. However, drawing from his personal experience, he agrees with bringing students back for their own good socially and with concern over an increase in child abuse from being at home.

“The emotional part they need that - that bonding with their classmates, instead of just being in a room by themselves, maybe at home,” he said. “…Those teachers are trained, and the counselors are super trained. So, I think the kids will be in much better shape.”