COVID19 Update-April 17,2020
JOINT STATEMENT OF BASTROP COUNTY JUDGE AND LOCAL SUPERINTENDENTS
April 17 , 2020 - Public Schools Remain Closed In Bastrop County
As we continue to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus, all independent school districts in Bastrop County will remain closed through the remainder of this school year. On April 17th, superintendents of the districts in Bastrop County (Bastrop, Elgin, McDade, and Smithville ISDs) made the decision to extend school closure through the end of the spring semester. Governor Abbott echoed that decision in his Executive Order GA 16 today.
The decision to keep schools closed was made individually by district superintendents Dr. Jodi Duron of EISD, Cheryl Burns of SISD, Barbara Marchbanks of MISD, and Barry Edwards of BISD in consultation with Bastrop County Judge Paul Pape, Director of Emergency Management. “School closure through the end of this semester is intended to protect the health and safety of our students, staff, and neighbors and to support county and state efforts to fight the spread of COVID-19,” said Judge Pape. “I appreciate the superintendent’s foresight and willingness to do the extraordinary in these extraordinary times.”
Each school district will proceed with its instructional, food service, and community support programs. Details for each district can be found on their website or by calling their administrative offices.
The number of positive COVID-19 cases continues to grow throughout the county, indicating that the virus has not yet been contained. Currently, Bastrop County reports forty-four (44) confirmed cases of the disease, compared to just two cases three weeks ago. A test collection site is conducting about 25 tests each day, under the direction on Dr. Desmar Walkes, the Bastrop County Health Authority.
Each school superintendent will stay informed and monitor the impact of COVID-19 on our schools and our community in conjunction with city, county and state leadership, as well as local and state health authorities. Residents are encouraged to use the following sites to learn more about COVID-19 and its impacts:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Texas Department of State Health Services: https://www.dshs.state.tx.us/coronavirus/
Texas Education Agency: https://tea.texas.gov/texas-schools/health-safety-discipline/coronavirus-covid-19-support-and-guidance
