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State Board of Education Approves Closing Oklahoma Schools Until April 6

Wikipedia

The State Board of Education has approved a plan to close public schools across Oklahoma until April 6 because of COVID-19.

State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister said it will be challenging for students and families, but their safety and educators’ is her top priority.

The board can come back together to re-evaluate closures at any time before April 6.

"This is a dynamic situation, very fluid. It changes by the hour, and we need to keep pace with those developments, and we are committed to doing that," Hofmeister said.

Nearly all activities at schools will cease, including extracurricular activities and professional development. Some essential duties, like food service, clerical tasks and maintenance will be allowed to continue.

The State Department of Education was approved for two waivers over the weekend to help get meals to students who need them during the closure.

Statewide plans for instruction during the prolonged closure have not been made. Hofmeister said they will pursue any federal waivers needed to potentially push back the state testing window.

"We're not going to ask children to come and be assessed under circumstances that would not be the right thing," Hofmeister said.

Matt Trotter joined KWGS as a reporter in 2013. Before coming to Public Radio Tulsa, he was the investigative producer at KJRH. His freelance work has appeared in the Los Angeles Times and on MSNBC and CNN.
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