State Dept. Guidance to Superintendents Concerning Coronavirus 19 School Shutdown

School Guidance HomeCoronavirus 19 Information

Schools are closed for students beginning Monday, March 16, for an indeterminate amount of time. Central Offices will remain open.

All staff will report as per their contracts starting Monday, March 16. If personnel have to be absent then they are to follow their local leave policies.

Options for providing meals to students must begin March 16, unless your county has scheduled Spring Break for next week. Child Nutrition Directors have been provided guidance and a simple form to submit with the approved reimbursable options.

If ACT/SAT testing is scheduled at your school on Saturday, March 14, this can occur as scheduled.

As long as staff are working in the schools supporting students we will not have to make up days. We are continually monitoring and will make decisions regarding if and how missed instructional days will be made up depending on the length of the closure.

The WVDE will be working closely with testing contractors to extend testing windows for all students when possible.

The U.S. Department of Education will provide flexibility to states regarding testing, accountability and special education timelines.

School Building Authority construction projects may continue as scheduled.

Follow your school calendar regarding Spring Break schedules.

If counties have already prepared alternative instructional materials, send those home as soon as possible. Special Education students’ IEPs and 504s must be followed per their instructional requirements.

Instructional materials can be provided through multiple avenues, including but not limited to, electronically, in conjunction with food distribution, or through social media.

Postpone kindergarten and preschool registration as it is a non-essential activity.

Adult Basic Education and Advanced Career Education (ACE) programs will continue as scheduled.

Since Virtual School is not completed in close proximity to other students, counties will continue with Virtual School courses as scheduled.

Local Board Meetings can be held as scheduled.

WVDE Office of Special Education & Student Support will send out federal guidelines in regard to timelines and services recently released from U.S. Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP).

Policy 2419 addresses evaluation timelines which discontinue while school is not in session. 

However, IEP timelines are still being considered at the federal level. Guidelines also address FAPE issues.

Daycare centers are private entities. They will be working collaboratively with local health departments to determine whether they remain open.

All spring sports are canceled until schools are back in session. The 14 mandatory practice day rule applies at this time.

The location of local feeding sites and avenues for community member involvement will be shared on local county websites.

The WVDE will continue to offer credit recovery courses.

School-based healthcare centers should remain in operation.

The WVDE will provide information on resources from the National Guard and Department of

Agriculture on food delivery and other needed supplies.

Long-term substitutes in positions that are serving students are to report.

Aides, bus drivers and cooks will be continuing the services they are currently providing.

Alternative plans may be made for immunocompromised staff members who provide medical documentation from a physician. These cases should be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

The WVDE will reach out to Dr. Slemp regarding creative ways to allow teachers to provide care for their personal children. This will be a local decision.

Governor Justice will make a public announcement when schools will resume.