Updated 7:15pm – Johnston County Schools issued this update to their previous announcement:
This is an unprecedented state and national situation. Thank you for your patience during this time. Continue to check the district website and social media outlets for updates. Together, with everyones support as a community, we can work together to be safe and healthy during a difficult time.
SMITHFIELD – Johnston County Schools announced Saturday afternoon they will close all schools through March 30th due to concerns over the Coronavirus. Here is the complete statement:
Johnston County Public Schools has made the difficult decision to alter our school schedule in response to the circumstances surrounding COVID(19) Coronavirus. Johnston County Public Schools will designate optional teacher workdays the week of March 16-March 20. March 23-27 will now be designated as the Spring Break week, which was scheduled on the calendar on April 13-17. At this time, this will mean that students will return to school on Monday, March 30. A separate communication regarding Early College Academy and CTLA will be shared by those schools.
It is possible that the closing of the school system may extend longer as this is an ever-
changing situation. Schools will use next week to plan for extended at-home learning opportunities in the event this closure is beyond March 27. If this is necessary, plans will be shared with you on how to access various learning opportunities during this closure. It is also in the planning stages to provide for school nutrition feeding sites at selected locations and this plan will be shared in the coming days.
It is important to know that we are in constant communication with our county and state health partners concerning the Coronavirus and are receiving guidance on any school closures from the Center for Disease Control (CDC). The school system makes decisions based upon the best information we have at the time.
We do understand and know that this is an ever-changing and quickly evolving situation. Closing a school system is not a decision that we take lightly and we thoroughly investigate the many complex factors related to our students, families, and employees of the school system before any decisions are made.
