Governor closes school for remainder of school year

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s decision Thursday to close Michigan’s public schools until fall was acknowledged by area superintendents as not a surprise but necessary.

With COVID-19 still not under control, Whitmer said Michigan joins a growing list of states that hoped to resume classes in mid-April but will instead be shut down for the rest of the academic year.

In Sturgis, Superintendent Art Ebert said the district will begin will begin its distance-learning model April 13 and end June 5.

Meanwhile, Mendon’s Leasa Griffith said the district wants to be sure food is distributed to those who need it. Also, Griffith said the district will provide social-emotional support as well as remote-learning opportunities that are being worked on.

Three Rivers superintendent Ron Moag said Whitmer did is the right thing. He added that coming weeks will provide an opportunity to become creative and think differently on how Three Rivers will provide learning opportunities for its students.