All public and private schools in Florida will be closed through April 15 because of the Coronavirus outbreak.
Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran made the announcement Tuesday as part of an effort to support the Florida Division of Emergency Management in ensuring that Floridians are kept as safe as possible.
“The containment of COVID-19 is essential, and this is not a decision we made lightly,” he said. “Districts have taken action and have instituted distance learning as a necessary precaution to protect students, educators, families and Florida’s overall public health.”
Corcoran said his department is working with school districts across the state to provide guidance and help students who need access to food while the school facilities are closed.
“Our number one priority is keeping our families safe and healthy and stopping the spread of this virus,” he said.
Corcoran said he believes shutting down the K-12 school facilities and technical center campuses will help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in Florida. He said school districts are being encouraged to operate virtually or through other non-classroom-based means to the greatest extent possible to implement distance learning.
Corcoran said school districts also should be prepared to extend their educational calendars through June 30 to the extent feasible and necessary.