These schools in Yolo, Solano counties are closing due to coronavirus threat

Top education officials are discussing plans to close schools in Yolo County to help beat back the spread of the new coronavirus, known as COVID-19. More than 30,000 students attend public schools in the county.

Yvette Seibert, the assistant to the superintendent for the Yolo County Office of Education, said an announcement was planned for this afternoon.

Davis Joint Unified School District said it would close all schools for a month starting Monday with plans to reopen campuses on April 13 after the board held an emergency meeting, said Superintendent John A. Bowes.

“Today, in an effort to proactively slow the spread of COVID-19, I am announcing that all Davis Joint Unified Schools will be closed beginning Monday, March 16, through Sunday, April 12, 2020,” Bowes wrote on the district’s website. “Additionally, all events, extracurricular activities, athletics practices and competitions, and performances are canceled during the closure.”

The Washington Unified School District in West Sacramento said Thursday that it would begin taking measures to address COVID-19 that could last until the end of next month.

“Effective immediately, we are implementing mitigation efforts district-wide to either postpone or cancel school and staff activities and events in order to avoid situations with a high density of people, according to the district’s website.

“These efforts will remain in effect until April 30, 2020 and a reassessment at that time will determine our approach through the end of the school year.”

Solano County schools closing

Solano County’s Office of Education also announced Friday that its schools will close for the next two weeks.

“In light of the ever-changing situation with COVID-19, Solano County schools will be closed ­­­­­­­­­for 2 weeks beginning Monday, March 16, 2020 through Friday, March 27, 2020,” the office said. “We will make a determination at that time about further any further closures.

“We did not take this decision lightly and recognize that this may cause a hardship for some families. Each school district and charter school will continue to communicate directly with families and staff with updates about re-opening, learning alternatives, and the availability of school meals.”