Connecticut closes schools for rest of academic year

Connecticut schools will remain closed for the remainder of the school year, Gov. Ned Lamont (D) said Tuesday. 

“I know how important it is for so many students and teachers to finish out the school year, and I was holding out hope – particularly for high school seniors – that we’d at least be able to complete the final few weeks, but given the current circumstances and to protect everyone’s safety, it has become clear that it’s just not possible,” Lamont said in a statement Tuesday. 

#BREAKING: Due to the ongoing pandemic, in-person classes at K-12 schools in Connecticut will remain canceled for the rest of the academic year.

Given the circumstances, this is the best course of action for the safety of students, educators, and staff. https://t.co/0mo9VUVq29 pic.twitter.com/qKgVcMP4uh

— Governor Ned Lamont (@GovNedLamont) May 5, 2020

Connecticut education commissioner Miguel Cardona said the decision to shutter schools for the remainder of the year is based on the health and safety of students, families and the Connecticut community. 

Most states across the country have announced schools will not reopen this academic year, including Connecticut’s neighbors New York and New Jersey. 

Lamont is consulting with state and local education officials regarding whether summer school programming will take place as scheduled and said guidance on summer programming is expected at the end of this month. 

Lamont closed Connecticut schools March 17. 

Connecticut has reported 29,973 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 2,556 deaths, according to state data.