Coronavirus: Scarsdale Closes School District; Faculty Member Ill

SCARSDALE, NY — The Scarsdale school district will be shut down from March 9 through March 18 over concerns about the new coronavirus. The district was told Sunday evening that a middle school faculty member tested positive for COVID-19, as the virus is formally known.

A statement on the district's website said school officials are working with the Department of Health to discuss the full extent of precautions that should be taken.

Dr. Sherlita Amler, the Westchester County health commissioner, recommended that the district close all its schools "in an abundance of caution."

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"Therefore, we will be closing all district school from March 9-18, 2020, for continued cleaning, progress monitoring and social-distancing," the statement said.

Additionally, the board of education's meetings scheduled for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday have been canceled. All other school activities, meetings and events, including sports and parent-teacher conferences, scheduled during this time are also canceled.

District officials said the faculty member who tested positive for the virus is exhibiting mild illness, and the district's response is designed to "demonstrate vigilance and recognition of individuals who may be immuno-compromised."

The health department told school officials that individuals of primary concern would be those who experienced direct, close contact with the affected faculty member.

Scarsdale school staff will not be reporting to district building, but principals and central office administrators will be available via email.

The district's curriculum office is coordinating with building administration, department chairs and curriculum leadership to develop a plan — by level — to engage students and families in remote learning opportunities.

Superintendent Dr. Thomas Hagerman said, “This disruption in the educational priorities of our district saddens and frustrates us all, but the closure decision was made out of an abundance of caution in conjunction with the county Department of Health, and with the safety and well-being of our Scarsdale community foremost in mind.”

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