Several days ago, Dale Brungardt thought the Ellsworth High School Class of 2020 was weeks away from a limited traditional graduation ceremony.

Then came Monday and Gov. Laura Kelly’s recommendation that Kansas renew several of the restrictions enacted to slow the spread of COVID-19. The action, which includes limiting gatherings to 45 or fewer people, came as reported coronavirus cases have started to climb across the state.

The Class of 2020 has 32 members.

“We’re making decisions with information that’s very fluid,” Brungardt, district superintendent, told board members Monday night at their end-of-the-fiscal-year meeting.

He said district officials will make a decision July 3 on how to proceed with graduation, tentatively planned for Sunday, July 12, in the high school gymnasium.

The district had three options:

• A more traditional ceremony; however, “the reality is this is probably not the safest situation,” Brungardt said.

• A limited traditional ceremony, where each student is given a number of tickets for guests, who would be expected to abide by six-feet social distancing guidelines by family. There would be no choir and a limited band [or no band at all] and people on the stage. Board members and administrators typically greet students as they receive their diplomas.

This option seemed the most feasible — until the 45-person group limit became a possibility.

• Diplomas and awards would be presented in a drive-through ceremony with a few family members allowed to accompany their graduate.

“I will err on the side of safety,” Brungardt said of the district’s final plan. He also has reached out to county health officials for guidance.

“There are just a lot of dynamics to this; it’s not an easy situation for anybody.”

And graduation is far from the end.

The 2020-21 school year is set to start in August and Brungardt and other educators continue to struggle with fallout from the virus.

When Gov. Kelly issued her stay-at-home order in March, school buildings closed, forcing districts and students to learn remotely from their homes.

Ellsworth students left on spring break and never were allowed to return to their classrooms for the 2019-20 school year.

“It was good education, but it was as good as we could get with, ‘Hey, we’re not going to have school tomorrow? What are you going to do?” Brungardt said.

you going to do?” Brungardt said. He said it’s unlikely schools will be in session 100 percent of the time this coming academic year, relying instead on a blend of in-person and remote classes.

The Kansas City Star recently reported on a document under development by the Kansas State Department of Education that gives districts the framework to adopt a competency-based approach. Under this model, teachers are less focused on class time and students move at their own pace, only progressing after they’ve mastered sets of “competencies.” Students may still get letter grades, but their performances are measured in different ways.

Brungardt said the goal is to do what is best for students and parents, but even then there are many questions.