Gov. Tom Wolf orders all Pa. schools shut down for 10 days

Schools across Pennsylvania will close for at least 10 business days amid efforts to stem the spread of coronavirus, state officials said Friday.

Gov. Tom Wolf said in a statement that officials will re-evaluate after 10 days to decide whether schools should remain closed.

The order – for 10 school days, or two weeks of classes – includes all K-12 schools in the state.

Wolf said no school district will be penalized for failing to meet the 180 days of instruction requirement.

“First and foremost, my top priority as governor – and that of our education leaders – must be to ensure the health and safety of our students and school communities,” he said.

Students who receive free or reduced lunch will still be eligible for those meals, which will be served in a grab-and-go type setting, Wolf said, noting that state officials will help districts with those plans.

The decision appears to be an 180-degree turn from what Secretary of Education Pedro Rivera said in a teleconference presentation to superintendents across the state Friday morning.

A video of the 40-minute briefing was posted to the Department of Education’s YouTube channel Friday afternoon. It included a rundown of the state’s response so far and consisted mainly of slides and some shots of Rivera and other speaking from a podium.

“Whether you choose to close your school in response to coronavirus/covid-19 or you choose to remain open, know that we will continue to focus on mandate waivers and support both at the state and federal level for each and every one of our (local education agencies) across the Commonwealth,” Rivera said.

He said he would support whatever decision individual school districts made on a local level. The presentation included suggestions for what steps districts could take short of closing.

Hours later came Wolf’s announcement that all K-12 schools in the state must close for 10 school days.

Wolf said at a 5 p.m. media brief that it was school staff that convinced him to give the order.

“I was convinced by educators today who were very serious about closing schools all across the state,” he said. “They felt that this was something that could be a contributor to mitigating the health crisis in Pennsylvania everywhere, and I agree.”

Superintendents in the region expressed frustration at the situation, particularly over how late in the day Wolf’s order came. Many spent the day drafting their own individual plans after receiving what some called little guidance during the morning web conference.

“It’s very poor planning on the part of the highest ranking officials of our state,” said John Pallone, superintendent of the New Kensington-Arnold School District.

Those frustrations fell in line with what one state lawmaker said she was hearing from districts in her district.

“School superintendents were told today on this conference call they would get no relief from the 180 days of instruction and that each district would have to make its own decision as to whether to keep schools open or closed,” Rep. Pam Snyder said in a 2:30 p.m. news release.

She called on Wolf and Rivera to order schools closed for two weeks. They did about 90 minutes later.

Some districts had already announced closures for longer periods prior to Wolf’s order.

Mt. Lebanon School District announced on its website that it will close schools for one month, beginning Monday through April 14. Upper St. Clair also will be closed until April 14. South Allegheny will close until April 13. Shady Side Academy will close until April 12.

Pittsburgh Public Schools said the district would be closed through at least March 27.

“We’re doing it just to be cautious and trying to take the lead of our neighboring states, who have canceled schools for a period of time,” said Keystone Oaks spokeswoman Sarah Welch. “All of the superintendents met to discuss this. Some agreed on 14 days, others longer. We’re doing it to try to contain the spread of this virus, especially to students who may have chronic conditions.”

Fox Chapel Area School District announced Friday morning that it was closing all schools after officials learned that the parent of a high school student is ill and concerned about potential exposure to coronavirus. Holy Cross Academy in Ross also closed after officials learned that a student may have been exposed to the coronavirus.

“I empathize with all of you in light of this announcement. To students, who have been looking forward to long-anticipated upcoming events, I know this is difficult news,” Shady Side Academy said in a statement. “To the Class of 2020, for whom these final months of high school are uniquely special, I understand your sense of loss. To parents thinking through the impact of this decision on your families, I appreciate the challenges this next month will present you. And to our dedicated faculty and staff shifting to a distance learning model, I recognize the demand this places on you and appreciate all you are doing to adjust and step up in support of our students.”

Megan Guza and JoAnne Klimovich Harrop are Tribune-Review staff writers.