SLO County’s largest district extends school closure through April due to coronavirus
More than 10,600 San Luis Obispo County students will be home from school for three extra weeks due to the coronavirus outbreak — and it’s possible they might not go back before the end of the year.
Lucia Mar Unified School District — San Luis Obispo County’s largest school district — announced it is extending its school closure through its already scheduled spring break.
According to a message from Superintendent Andy Stenson, the district tentatively plans to reopen on April 20.
The district was originally expected to be closed only through March 27.
“This decision was not taken lightly — the Board of Education and District Leadership fully understand the gravity of this decision, and the burden it places on our families,” Stenson said in the message.
The announcement comes after Gov. Gavin Newsom advised parents that many California schools will likely not reopen until the fall.
“Don’t anticipate schools are going to open in a week. Don’t anticipate schools are going to open in a few weeks,” Newsom said during a news conference Tuesday. “I would plan and assume that it’s unlikely that many of these schools, few, if any, will open before the summer break.”
Stenson said the district is “rapidly developing” online and distance learning opportunities for students, and expects to be able to release additional information to students Thursday. Students who need them can check out Chromebooks through their school.
Lucia Mar will continue to offer its free meals for children, available for pickup at its schools.
It is the only large local district to announce an extended closure so far.
Coast Unified schools will reopen March 31, Atascadero Unified students are expected to return to class April 1, Paso Robles Joint Unified will return April 13 and San Luis Coastal Unified will resume April 15.
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