LOS ANGELES (KABC) — The Los Angeles Unified School District, the second largest in the country, joined districts around the region and announced it will close.
The announcement, which made Friday, stated that LAUSD will close starting Monday March 16.
The district, along with the San Diego Unified School District, released the following statement:
“California has now entered a critical new phase in the fight to stop the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic,” they said. “There is evidence the virus is already present in the communities we serve, and our efforts now must be aimed at preventing its spread. We believe closing the state’s two largest school districts will make an important contribution to this effort. For that reason, we plan to close, effective Monday, March 16.
“Later today, we will be providing students, parents and staff with more information on our plans to continue providing learning opportunities for students during the closure. We have also directed staff at both districts to prepare to continue providing nutrition and other supports through family resource facilities.”
The boards of the Los Angeles Unified and San Diego Unified School Districts have unanimously approved this action
The LAUSD had already declared a state of emergency over novel coronavirus.
School districts throughout Southern California have already announced plans to temporarily close or shift to online instruction as part of nationwide efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19.
The LAUSD teachers union on Thursday urged the district to follow those examples.
“We are calling for the rapid, accelerated, and humane closure of LAUSD schools,” UTLA President Alex Caputo-Pearl said. “Other countries have shown that a proactive – not reactive – approach slows the spread of the virus, makes sure healthcare providers are not crushed with overwhelming demand, and dramatically reduces fatalities.”
LAUSD made an emergency declaration earlier this week, but that didn’t require the closing of schools. The district has not had any known coronavirus cases in students. MORE