California schools are likely to remain closed for the remainder of the school year because of the coronavirus pandemic, Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom said Tuesday.
“I would plan and assume it is unlikely that many of these schools, few if any, will open before the summer break,” he said during a news conference.
“I don’t want to mislead you. To 6 million-plus kids in our system and their families: They need to make some plans at a time when a lot of plans are already being curtailed,” he said. “But planning with kids is some of the most challenging planning.”
Newsom said the schools that have closed could be used to feed lower-income students or address child care needs. He acknowledged providing child care when people are being told to distance themselves from others would have challenges.
The caregivers “will want to have personally protective gear, make sure social distancing is practiced, make sure that we not just secure the sites but make sure that they’re healthy,” he said
The governor signed a bill Tuesday that would allow any public school that closes because of the coronavirus to keep its state funding.
