West Ada joins Boise, Nampa and Caldwell school districts in closing due to coronavirus
West Ada School District on Sunday evening reversed course on its decision to hold classes in the coming week as school districts around the Treasure Valley shuttered for coronavirus concerns.
District superintendent Mary Ann Ranells initially said West Ada schools would continue with business as usual on Monday. On Sunday evening, Ranells said West Ada schools would close through March 30.
In an email to staff, Boise School District superintendent Coby Dennis said classes would resume March 30. The third academic quarter of the school year just ended for Boise, while West Ada’s does not end until Friday, March 20.
In a Facebook live video, Caldwell School District officials said they’ll hold classes on Monday and Tuesday but close schools on Wednesday through the end of spring break, resuming classes March 30. Nampa, Emmett, Kuna and Vallivue schools are doing the same, according to a press release, and absences on Monday-Tuesday in all of those districts “will be excused without consequences.”
The Middleton School District is taking the same path as Boise, closing schools until March 30. A press release from the district stated that administrators agreed with “several concerned citizens who urged closure the full week before spring break.”
The Wilder School Board will meet Monday to determine its next steps, according to a press release, but Wilder schools will be in session Monday.
In a Facebook post, the Payette School District said it will stay open through Friday, which is when the district’s spring break starts. Mountain Home School District will hold classes on Tuesday before closing through March 29 “at a minimum,” according to a Facebook post.
Richard McKenna Charter Schools, which is located in Mountain Home, said its students would begin online-only classes on Monday after “one or more” elementary students were exposed to COVID-19 through a family member that tested positive for the disease.
“These students are quarantined and are being monitored,” school officials said in a letter to parents.
Boise School District said it would host “emergency day camps” for kids in the sixth grade and below whose parents “fall into general categories such as health care providers, first responders, and parents required to work.” The camps will be in the following locations:
▪ Taft Elementary - 3722 N. Anderson St., Boise, ID 83703
▪ Morley Elementary - 7701 Northview St., Boise, ID 83704
▪ Whitney Elementary - 1609 S. Owyhee St., Boise, ID 83705
▪ Garfield Elementary - 1914 S. Broadway Ave., Boise, ID 83706
The Boise School District is also setting up food pantries at the following schools:
▪ Frank Church High School - 8051 W. Salt Creek Ct., Boise, ID 83709
▪ Garfield Elementary - 1914 S. Broadway Ave., Boise, ID 83706
▪ Morley Elementary - 7701 Northview St., Boise, ID 83704
▪ Taft Elementary - 3722 N. Anderson St., Boise, ID 83703
▪ Whittier Elementary - 301 N. 29th St., Boise, ID 83702
▪ Whitney Elementary - 1609 S. Owyhee St., Boise, ID 83702
Schools close across Idaho despite governor’s decision not to issue statewide cancellation
The moves come amid piecemeal school closures across the state. In a conference call with education stakeholders and state health officials on Sunday, Idaho Gov. Brad Little left the decision up to each district. During the call, health officials said Idaho Department of Health and Welfare “would prefer” if schools remained open.
Dennis said in his note that school offices would be open Monday for parents and students to pick up medication and other personal belongings. He said all athletics, activities and district child care would also be on hiatus.
Across Idaho, several school districts and colleges have already canceled events and classes. Blaine County School District closed all schools until April 5 following the confirmation of a COVID-19 case in the county on Saturday.
Cassia County School District said Sunday that it would close schools from March 17 to March 29 following a day of preparation Monday to transition to digital learning. Twin Falls School District, Wendell School District and Lewiston Independent School District will also shutter to students until March 30. Post Falls and Lakeland school districts are closing Monday and Tuesday.
Currently there are five confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Idaho, two of which are in Ada County. The first case was announced Friday evening.
This story was originally published March 15, 2020 at 5:11 PM.
