MADISON — State Superintendent Carolyn Stanford Taylor issued a statement today regarding the Wisconsin Department of Health Services order under the direction of Gov. Tony Evers. The order issues the closure of Wisconsin public and private schools after the school day Wednesday, March 18, 2020, with an anticipated reopening date of Monday, April 6, 2020.

“The safety and health of our students, educators, and families remain of the highest importance. When considering the length of school closures, we are asking our local school districts and local health departments to be in close coordination in making these decisions.

We know schools are thinking about the anticipated academic and economic impacts, and unintended impacts of these decisions, and are planning for ways to provide critical supports to kids and families, such as food insecurity.

The DPI remains in constant communication with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and the Wisconsin Department of Administration as we continue monitoring this evolving situation. We are committed to offering our continuous support to students and educators.”