Slideshow Gunn High School in 2016. On April 1, Palo Alto Unified Superintendent Don Austin announced all district schools will be closed for classroom instruction for the remainder of this school year. Weekly file photo. On April 1, Santa Clara County families were informed that their campuses would stay closed through the end of the current academic year. Photo taken March 16 by Sammy Dallal. Previous Next

All 32 of Santa Clara County's school district superintendents and the county superintendent of schools signed a joint letter sent to families Wednesday evening that confirms their campuses will be closed for the rest of the school year.

The letter followed public statements Tuesday and Wednesday by top California officials, including Gov. Gavin Newsom and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, that the state expected — but was not mandating — schools wouldn't resume in-person classes this school year.

Palo Alto Unified Superintendent Don Austin took definitive local action on Wednesday, announcing that all district schools will be closed for classroom instruction for the remainder of this school year. Austin has the authority to make such a decision through an emergency resolution the school board approved in March.

"We empathize with students who were holding out hope for a return this year," Austin said. "Most people knew that reopening this year was unlikely given the challenges facing our nation and a virus still spreading rapidly. At a minimum, I hope a definitive answer can provide a degree of relief. While our classrooms are closed, teaching and learning continues."

Free meals distribution to students and families in need will also continue, he said.