El Reno Public Schools Superintendent Craig McVay knows parents and guardians are anxious to hear about the plan to educate the district’s nearly 3,000 students during the COVID-19 outbreak.
However, as of Thursday, McVay and the rest of the district’s leadership team was still waiting on the Oklahoma State Department of Education to release its mandated framework so El Reno could begin formulating a plan.
If you didn’t get a haircut before Thursday, you may be waiting awhile.
Gov. Kevin Stitt issued a state of emergency last week closing businesses considered non-essential. The order went into effect at midnight Wednesday.
On Wednesday, El Reno issued its own state of emergency, updated from an earlier one proclaimed on March 16.
In the local order, adults over the age of 65 or with underlying health conditions are ordered to stay home, only going out when absolutely necessary for groceries, gas or work in critical infrastructure jobs.
The Oklahoma State Department of Education reports 61 percent of students across the state qualify for either free or reduced lunches, but that number is closer to 80 percent for El Reno Public Schools.
Due to the higher number, El Reno has opted to keep its current delivery method for meals during the COVID-19 outbreak instead of following OSDE recommendations to limit exposure between schools and students for meals.
While COVID-19 has spread pain to every sector of the nation, it has also helped create rumors that El Reno city officials said need to be put to rest.
Mayor and Acting City Manager Matt White said the city is doing its best to follow federal and state guidelines intended to help keep the public safe and hopefully “bend the curve” of the coronavirus.
Some on social media have claimed “big government” is stepping in to take over daily life. Some have suggested there will soon be the need to have a permit to drive a car. White said this isn’t true.
El Reno Public School buildings will remain closed the remainder of the 2019-20 term due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
The district will be following the order of the Oklahoma State Board of Education to shutter all school buildings through the week of May 8-15.
The state board voted 7-0 Wednesday morning to amend its March 16 ruling that closed schools through April 6. The board also voted to waive the state mandated 180 days of in-school instruction.
Canadian County commissioners last week tabled a proposal to help fund a proposed roundabout at SH 66 and Banner Road.
The county’s share, $94,000, would fund the design work on the roundabout, said Commissioner Marc Hader.
“It would get us in the queue to get this done, possibly within this calendar year,” Hader said.
Commissioners David Anderson and Jack Stewart said they did not have enough information about the proposal.
For more than 30 years, El Reno has celebrated Fried Onion Burger Day the first Saturday in May.
But not this year.
COVID-19 is disrupting plans all over town. Events, parties and concerts have been postponed because of the virus that has violently assaulted the world. So it was only a matter of time until Burger Day joined the list.
Last week, the Main Street board of directors voted unanimously to postpone the 32nd Annual Burger Day Festival indefinitely.
Shana Ford, Main Street director, said putting the festival off was the only option.
After further discussion with Gov. Kevin Stitt and health officials, Redlands Community College will extend online only classes through April 10.
College offices and services will be open during regular business hours with limited staffing in order to maintain operations and be available to assist students as needed.
While Oklahoma school districts will be closed until April 6, concurrent classes will continue online.
OKARCHE - Due to the increased risk of serious complications from COVID-19 for individuals with disabilities, the Center of Family Love (CFL) is taking extreme precautionary measures to protect its 130 intellectually and physically disabled residents from coming in contact with potential carriers of COVID-19.
As of Monday, March 16, the nonprofit organization closed its doors to all visitors, including family, volunteers and supporters, until further notice.
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