Gov. Brown orders all K-12 schools statewide to close over coronavirus spread

PORTLAND, Ore. — Oregon Gov. Kate Brown has ordered all K-12 schools in the state to close from Monday, March 16 through Tuesday, March 31 because of the coronavirus outbreak.

Students are expected to return to class Wednesday, April 1.

The governor made the announcement in a news release late Thursday night as the number of positive cases of COVID-19 in the state rose to 30. The Oregon Health Authority had also announced Thursday night that six new cases of the virus had been confirmed at the Edward C. Allworth Oregon Veterans’ Home in Lebanon. Two cases at the home were announced Wednesday night.

Staffing shortages and a large number of students staying home from school prompted the governor to make her decision.

"I have heard from superintendents, school board members, teachers, parents, and students that it has now become impossible to functionally operate schools due to workforce issues and student absences," she said in the news release.

But she said that closing the schools won't stop the spread of the coronavirus in the state.

"While children are home, when at all possible, they should not be in the care of older adults or those with underlying health issues that are most at-risk from COVID-19," she said.

Brown also acknowledged that the extended closure would burden some families.

"We are left with little choice in light of school districts’ staff capacity and operational concerns. I want to thank all of the teachers and school employees who have worked hard to keep our schools open until now," she said.

While the schools are closed, the governor directed districts and the Oregon Department of Education to develop plans for students when they return to school and develop plans to continue nutrition services during the closure. Brown said her staff will be communicating with the state's school districts and will reevaluate timelines in late March.

In a statement posted on Portland Public Schools's website, Superintendent Guadalupe Guerrero said the district is working on ways to provide meals to students next week.

"We ... will likely identify specific school sites to serve as hubs where meals may be distributed and picked-up. This information will be provided to parents within a few days," he wrote.

PPS will close schools starting Monday, March 16.

The governor’s statement:

Schools are critical institutions that provide important services for all our students, but especially our most vulnerable, and during this crisis I have worked hard to ensure those critical services continue. So many of our families depend on school in order for parents to go to their jobs, and for students to access health care and receive nutrition assistance.

However, I have heard from superintendents, school board members, teachers, parents, and students that it has now become impossible to functionally operate schools due to workforce issues and student absences. Schools are experiencing critical shortages in staff, and superintendents are concerned for school personnel who are at elevated risk such as those over age 60 and those with underlying medical issues.

I want to be very clear: sending Oregon children home will not stop the spread of the coronavirus. While children are home, when at all possible, they should not be in the care of older adults or those with underlying health issues that are most at-risk from COVID-19.

This is a trying time for our community and I am reluctant to increase the burden on families who are already struggling to adapt to and stay healthy during this crisis. However, we are left with little choice in light of school districts’ staff capacity and operational concerns. I want to thank all of the teachers and school employees who have worked hard to keep our schools open until now.

During the closure Brown listed these directives:

• School districts are directed to develop plans for returning to school that accommodate ongoing impacts of coronavirus. Staff should utilize the final two days of March to finalize plans for operating schools under updated measures, with students expected to return on Wednesday, April 1.
• Districts are tasked with developing plans to continue nutrition services during the closure.
• The Oregon Department of Education will examine the impact the closure will have on instructional time.
• School districts will ensure adequate cleaning supplies for increased cleaning protocols following the closure.
• The Early Learning Division will support child care programs and will work to identify resources to support child care needs for our most vulnerable families, as well as health care professionals and first responders.

Additional School Information for Friday, March 13

Also on Thursday, the Tigard-Tualatin school board decided to close schools Friday, March 13. But students will be able to pick up their personal belongings between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.

The district will provide meals for students during the closure at Tualatin and Metzger Elementary schools. Grab-and-Go meals will be available from 8 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

All schools in the Beaverton School District will be open Friday.

The Lebanon School District said it would be closed Friday in response to a possible positive coronavirus test.

The Parkrose School District, however, said classes will be held as usual on Friday for the middle and high school. But the district's elementary schools will be closed to students. There will also be no parent conferences.

The West Linn-Wilsonville School District announced Thursday night that its schools will be open as normal on Friday.

Salem-Keizer Public Schools will be open Friday, March 13.

All schools in the Greater Albany School School will be closed Friday.

Check out our closure page for more closures and delays.

It is also advisable to check with your district about its plans to get the latest information.