Monroe County schools close for two weeks after potential COVID-19 exposure

Monroe County Community School Corporation announced Thursday that families in the school district have been exposed to others displaying symptoms of COVID-19, according to a press release from the corporation. It will close all schools and Early Learning Centers in the district for two weeks March 13-27.

“The safety and security of our students and staff are of critical importance to all of us,” MCCSC’s statement reads.

The school corporation hopes to minimize exposure and allow time for buildings and buses to be deep cleaned, according to the release. All practices and extracurricular activities except Indiana High School Athletic Association state contests are also canceled for the duration of the closure.

Gov. Eric Holcomb announced Thursday that school corporations will be given a 20-day waiver of the required 180 instructional days to be used as needed for the rest of the academic year.

Contingency learning plans will be used for the duration of the closure. The school district will continue to offer breakfast and lunch pickup for students Friday from 11 a.m to 1 p.m. at all schools and March 23-27 from 11 a.m to 1 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Parents are able to pick up their children’s medication Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Updated information will be available on the MCCSC website and will be posted on the doors of each school starting Saturday. The MCCSC website will continue to be updated with information regarding contingency learning plans, breakfast and lunch availability, technology support, special education services and self-care information, according to the release.