CHARLESTON, WV – Gov. Jim Justice and the West Virginia Department of Education announced today that they have updated the statewide school closure plan, originally announced Friday, March 13, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
OVERVIEW:
- All schools will remain closed to students through at least Friday, March 27.
- Essential staff, as determined by each county board of education, will report Monday, March 16 through Wednesday, March 18 to develop continuity plans for students.
- All teachers, staff, and school service personnel will report Thursday, March 19 and Friday, March 20.
- County boards of education will determine staff requirements for Monday, March 23 and beyond.
“At the heart of everything we are doing right now is the protection of our children, making sure our schools are safe for our teachers and staff, and making every effort to protect all of the people of West Virginia,” Gov. Justice said. “I have been and will remain in constant contact with Superintendent Burch, and we both have heard the concerns of our teachers and school service personnel. We want to make sure all their concerns are taken into consideration as we develop our plans.”
All schools will remain closed to students through at least March 27, 2020. No return date for students has been set at this time. Gov. Justice, State Superintendent of Schools W. Clayton Burch, and other education leaders will continue to monitor COVID-19 developments throughout this two-week period, with the goal of getting students back to class as soon as safely possible.