Executive order closing schools through June 30 builds on previous orders
Friday, April 24, 2020
Gov. Kate Brown updated and expanded her closure order for schools on Thursday, April 23. Executive order 20-20 helps clarify expectations for school districts, employees and students during the COVID-19 pandemic emergency school closures.
The order formally closes schools through June 30. Though she had previously announced schools would be closed through the end of the year, this order makes that announcement official.
The order expands some portions of the previous school closure order, executive order 20-08. Notably, school districts are directed to continue to provide services for students, and the list has been expanded to include services for students’ social, emotional and mental health. The list also gives schools the ability to deliver crucial student services and emergency planning services. The listed services continue to include nutrition programs.
School districts are required to continue to pay employees and deliver high-quality services to students.
The order also gives the Oregon Department of Education the broad ability to issue binding guidance for implementation of this order, similar to previous orders.
Previous orders relevant to school districts include executive orders 20-08, 20-12 and 20-16. 20-08 closed schools and gave ODE the authority to create the program that eventually became “Distance Learning for All.” 20-12 was the statewide “Stay Home, Save Lives” directive. And 20-16 eased public meetings requirements for public bodies, including school districts, ESDs and special districts.
