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Shelby County Schools will cancel classes for an additional week following spring break, Superintendent Joris Ray tweeted Thursday morning.

SCS schools will be closed beginning Friday, March 13.

Those schools will reopen March 30, Ray tweeted.

The closures are being made "as a bold and preemptive step to ensure the safety of students and staff," Ray tweeted.

ASD to follow suit, closure of charter schools unclear

Later Thursday afternoon, the district said this decision does not include its 56 charter schools.

"While charters generally follow SCS closures, they operate separately from the district and make any decision to close independently," the district said via email to The Commercial Appeal Thursday afternoon.

According to information the district shared with Shelby County in February, it operates 208 schools, 56 of which are charters.

A spokesperson with the state department of education confirmed via email Thursday that the state-run Achievement School District schools would follow suit with the SCS closures.

"Due to families with students in ASD and Shelby County schools, the ASD will follow the closure schedule that was announced earlier today by the district," state spokesperson Victoria Robinson told The Commercial Appeal via email Thursday.

"Similarly, ASD schools in Nashville will follow MNPS closure schedules," she said.

Metro Nashville Public Schools are closed Thursday and Friday today and tomorrow out of an "abundance of caution" due to the spread of the novel coronavirus.

More:MNPS to close Thursday, Friday amid coronavirus concerns

Coronavirus in Memphis:Latest news and updates on the virus' impact in the 901

Of the state's 29 ASD school locations, 27 are in Memphis.

SCS to use extra week to conduct risk assessment

"Due to national developments and rapidly changing conditions regarding the spread of COVID-19, we feel this is the best course of action,” Ray said in a statement from the district. “Closing schools is never a decision that we take lightly. Considering these unique circumstances, we must lead through the moment.”

SCS will take the two weeks to conduct "a full assessment of risks" for students and staff traveling during spring break and to deep clean all district buildings, they said in a statement.

By extending spring break and canceling classes on Friday's half day, SCS will close schools for a total off 11 days.

"To avoid the loss of required instructional days for the remainder of the year, the district will be utilizing six days reserved for inclement weather," the SCS statement said.

The district's central office and administrative will remain open during business hours. All salaried and hourly school employees will be paid during the extended break, the statement said.

“While there are presently no confirmed cases in Shelby County Schools, the cases in surrounding areas make it imperative that the district continues its proactive measures,” district board chair Miska Clay-Bibbs said in the statement.

The district did not immediately respond to questions about plans for meals for students or how the closures will impact any upcoming testing.

This story will be updated.

According to the CDC, the risk of being exposed to the coronavirus (COVID-19) for most people is low. The CDC recommends taking simple, everyday steps to avoid catching or spreading respiratory diseases including COVID-19. These include covering your cough or sneeze and thoroughly washing or sanitizing your hands. Call your doctor and stay home if you are sick. Get more information at CDC.gov/coronavirus or contact the Tennessee Department of Health coronavirus information line at 877-857-2945 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

Laura Testino covers education and children's issues for the Commercial Appeal. Reach her at laura.testino@commercialappeal.com or 901-512-3763. Find her on Twitter: @LDTestino