Gov. Bullock Directs Closure Of All Montana Schools

As a result of the fast spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19), Governor Steve Bullock directed the closure of all non-resident public K-12 schools for two weeks, starting March 16 and lasting through March 27.

“I recognize that our schools often serve as a lifeline for families and that this decision is going to have disruption on Montanans over the coming weeks,” said the Governor in a press conference March 15. “I'm committed to working with schools, communities and public health to minimize the impact. I encourage businesses to do everything they can to support families as well.”

During the closure, all staff pay benefits will be granted without having to utilize paid time off and schools will continue to receive all state funding. Superintendent of Glasgow Public Schools Wade Sundby encourages teachers to sit down and plan out their curriculum to determine what they want their students to learn in the next two weeks and to make content available through Google Classroom and their website. “Some teachers are looking at sending out packets to their students during this time, and will be in contact with parents to receive the packets. Other teachers have been sharing websites and applications that parents can use,” explained Sundby.

Superintendent Sundby is advising parents and caregivers to utilize the time to spend together as a family working on different things to keep kids learning. “The goal is to keep kids where they are educationally,” stated Sundby.

For students who rely on school breakfast and lunch, preliminary plans are in the works and will possibly be grab-and-go stations in Glasgow, St. Marie and Duck Creek. Sundby said the district is, “working to see if we can offer the service to all students who receive meals or only to those who receive free and reduced lunch.”

As of press time, there were no signs the closure will go beyond the two week time frame, however Sundby and his team of administrators will be sitting down to figure out what the next steps will look like in the event the closure continues beyond the two weeks. “We will utilize the time to sit down and develop plans for continued learning whether that's virtual learning, Google learning or pencil/paper method,” said Sundby.

Sundby stresses the schools didn't close so families can travel or spend time in groups and the school closure is to minimize the effects of the coronavirus. “Use this time to spend as a family working on different things Read a book, do math problems, [or] expose them to your taxes since it's tax season,” explained Sundby.

In addition to public schools, Little Scholars Preschool, Headstart and First Lutheran Preschool in Glasgow are also closed for the two-week time frame. All high school and middle school sports and practices are also canceled during this closure.

Glasgow Schools will keep parents and community members updated through their website, http://www.glasgow.k12.mt.us, Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/Glasgow-Public-Schools, Twitter, @GSD_1A and all local media.