The Palm Beach Post is reporting that Palm Beach County Schools are expecting to close all of its campuses next week in response to the ongoing spread of COVID-19.
The decision to close schools will affect more than 190,000 students in Palm Beach County and their families. Campus are expected to be closed next week and the following week, potentially re-opening on March 30.
The move comes after countless closures and cancellations throughout the week in an effort to reduce the spread of the coronavirus, which has become a pandemic. The City of Boca Raton announced yesterday that it has cancelled all meeting and activities through the end of next month.
The School District of Palm Beach County is expected to announce the news in a press conference at 2 p.m. today. The press conference is set to air on WPTV.
Update:
Palm Beach County Schools Superintendent Dr. Donald Fennoy announced in the aforementioned press conference that Palm Beach County Schools will close all school campuses effective Monday, March 16. The closure will stay in effect through the end of the previously scheduled spring break, which runs through March 27.
“Over the next two weeks, we will evaluate that timeline and decide if it is in our best interest to extend that date,” Fennoy said.
“This is a rapidly evolving situation, and it is important to understand that my first concern is with the health and welfare of our students and our staff. Canceling school is the first step to ensuring that. All the other details will be worked out in a timely fashion.”
