ChattCo schools extend closure amid coronavirus. What are other local districts doing?
Midway through the originally announced closure of schools due to the coronavirus pandemic, one Columbus-area school district already has decided to extend the shutdown.
Chattahoochee County schools, which had been closed until April 6, now will be closed until at least April 21, Superintendent Kristie Brooks told district leaders in an email Tuesday night.
“This aligns with the county Declaration of Emergency,” Brooks explained in the email. “I know that this extended closure brings much anxiety and concern. The extension of the date is not made lightly, and it also causes me much sadness. We miss our children and our day to day sense of normalcy.”
No confirmed COVID-19 case in Chattahoochee County has been announced, but Brooks said in the email, “We know that this virus is quickly spreading. It continues to get closer and closer to us. It is imperative that every precaution be taken to protect you- our amazing ChattCo family, and our wonderful students.”
Brooks further explained the decision in an email to the Ledger-Enquirer.
“In addition to imploring an abundance of caution, we are aware that some of our members are considered as a vulnerable population,” she said. “It is our desire to take as proactive an approach as possible to protect our residents and all students that attend our schools. With a population that is highly mobile and with the ever increasing cases, the desire was to provide our families ample notice for planning.“
Monday, county manager Laura Lee Bernstein announced that the local state of emergency in ChattCo means the closure of public access to buildings and facilities through April 21.
Here are the plans for the other Columbus area school districts:
Muscogee County
In Muscogee County, where four COVID-19 cases have been announced, the school district still is scheduled to resume classes April 6.
MCSD superintendent David Lewis told the Ledger-Enquirer in an email Wednesday morning, “I am awaiting a forthcoming official announcement from the Governor’s Office, which will address any potential changes pertaining to the reopening of schools.”
Harris County
In Harris County, where one coronavirus case has been announced, school district spokeswoman emailed the Ledger-Enquirer an FAQ posted Tuesday night that says no decision has been made whether the school system will reopen after spring break.
“Before any decision is finalized, the status of the spread of COVID-19, guidance from the Governor’s Office, and recommendations from governmental groups will be considered and weighed,” the FAQ says.
Alabama schools
While Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has been leaving any closure decisions up to local school districts, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey had ordered her state’s schools closed until April 6. Now, Alabama schools superintendent Eric Mackey is expected to announce today whether schools will reopen then or extend their shutdown, according to the Montgomery Advertiser.
