Gov. Eric Holcomb announced this afternoon that all schools will be closed until May 1 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
He also announced all state-mandated assessments would be cancelled this year.
Holcomb also stated he would extend the state of emergency for another 30 days when it expires on April 5.
The governor and state health officials are currently holding a press conference to update what the state’s response is to the ongoing pandemic.
In an email to parents, Brown County Schools Superintendent Laura Hammack announced the May 1 closure.
Brown County Schools will deploy 10 waiver days from the state from March 23 to 27 then from March 31 to April 3.
“There are no instructional expectations for those days,” Hammack said.
The district intends to deploy eLearning days beginning on April 6.
“We are extremely sympathetic to families with internet connectivity issues. To that end, we will make comprehensive plans to open internet accessible options across the county with limits in place for no more than 10 people to convene at one time,” Hammack said in her letter to parents.
Specific details for those eLearning days will be released at a later date.
Hammack said that the Indiana Department of Education continues to work and develop a “timely and practical solution for our current 12th graders.”
She continued that the district has been assured that seniors who are on track to graduate will have no concerns with graduation and that the district will be able to work with seniors who need help meeting graduation requirements.
More information is expected to be released on graduation requirements.
The district will continue to deploy its food service plan on March 23. Learn more about that program here.
“My heart is with all of our families. In particular, my heart is in the homes of our families with seniors. While there will surely be cancellations of extracurricular programs and activities between now and May 1, please know that we will attempt to hold activities of significance for seniors at a postponed time and date or in an alternate format,” Hammack said.
“These are unprecedented times. While I wish I could make this go away, I can’t. What I can do is ensure that our district provides access to educational services and opportunities that make sense during this extremely challenging time.”
As of today, 17 new positive cases of COVID-19 have been reported by the Indiana State Department of Health. The total number of people with positive COVID-19 cases in the state stands at 56.
Two Hoosiers have died from COVID-19.
The new cases involve residents of Howard, Lake, Marion, Owen, St. Joseph, Tippecanoe and Wayne counties.
To see the list of counties with positive cases and total number of cases per county click here.
Brown County does not have a confirmed COVID-19 case at this time.
