Gov. Holcomb Announces All Schools To Close Until May 1

This announcement was made at today's media briefing to provide updates on COVID-19 and its impact on Indiana.

(Indianapolis, Ind.) - At today's media briefing to provide updates on COVID-19 and its impact on Indiana, Governor Eric Holcomb announced that all K-12 schools are to close until May 1. 

This mandated closure follows recent guidelines given by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to limit gatherings to less than 10. This may be extended through the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year. Schools can continue to utilize eLearning as determined by their local school administrators and school boards.

“From the beginning, we have said the time to act is now, and that action continues to be necessary as we navigate the fluid situation the COVID-19 pandemic has created,” said Dr. Jennifer McCormick, Superintendent of Public Instruction. “The most important charge of Indiana’s schools is to protect and keep students, staff, and families safe. The decisions made by our local administrators and educators are doing just that. However, there are educational implications, that if not addressed, will unnecessarily burden our schools. Therefore, the additional actions announced today will help lessen the impact and allow reprieve so our districts can continue focusing on serving Hoosier students and families.”

The Indiana Department of Education is working to address the fact that the Twenty Day Waiver Extension may not cover the needs of local districts. Individual districts and schools will need to work with IDOE to determine the amount of instructional waiver days necessary. 

Currently, IREAD-3, ILEARN, ISTEP+, I AM, WIDA Screener, and ISPROUT have been cancelled. Indiana plans to continue to pursue all federal waivers associated with the forgiveness of accountability, chronic absenteeism, and mandated assessment requirements for the 2019-2020 school year.

IDOE is continuing to work to develop a timely and practical solution when it comes to the requirements for high school Seniors. 

With the concern of providing children with access to "wholesome and nutritional meals," schools are finding creative solutions to meet the needs of their students. IDOE is seeking all available federal waivers to ensure zero interruption to these needs. Currently, 94 percent of Indiana’s traditional public schools are providing or arranging meals to students.

South Dearborn Superintendent Eric Lows announced yesterday that South Dearborn Community School Corporation would close all schools for the remainder of the academic year.