Jefferson City School District to close schools for more than two weeks because of coronavirus

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Jefferson City School District officials said Monday all district schools are set to close from Wednesday until April 3 because of the novel coronavirus pandemic.

In an email sent to faculty, staff and parents, district spokeswoman Ryan Burns said the closure was called to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

The district's spring break starts March 23.

Burns said JC Schools are not equipped for long-term virtual learning as of Monday. She added district leaders are working on solutions for online learning.

District students in grades 2-12 will be sent home with laptops Tuesday. All district-sponsored activities are canceled while schools are closed.

Burns said all staff members will be paid during the closure. She added all district employees are required to log their travel over spring break.

As of Monday afternoon, state health officials say no cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Cole County. However, six cases have been identified statewide -- three in Greene County, two in St. Louis County and one in Henry County.

Columbia Public Schools had not called off classes by early Monday afternoon, but the district superintendent said on Twitter on Sunday that CPS will possibly need to close.

CPS promised last week to provide parents with an update on Monday.

More than 6,500 people worldwide have died of COVID-19, with the elderly and people with weakened immune system in the most danger.