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SANTA CRUZ — School District Superintendents and the Santa Cruz County Office of Education will close all public schools in Santa Cruz County for the week of March 16-20, it was announced Thursday.

Schools, however, will be in session on Friday, according to an email from Alicia G. Jiménez, public information officer for the Pajaro Valley Unified School District.

Schools will reassess the situation at the end of next week to see if an extension of school closures beyond March 20 is necessary, Jiménez wrote in an email to the Sentinel.

“The safety and wellness of students, families, and school personnel are the highest priorities of all Santa Cruz County schools and districts,” Jiménez wrote in the email.

The Sentinel will continue to follow this story. Check back for updates.