No plans yet to let school out; STAAR tests, UIL events canceled

Clarendon and Hedley schools have no plans to cancel school as of Tuesday, but are feeling the first impact of the COVID-19 virus with the cancelation of UIL competitions and the upcoming STAAR testing.

With both schools on spring break this week, superintendents said Monday they are taking a “wait and see” approach before extending the break or otherwise canceling classes.

Many schools around the state are already taking measures to suspend classes amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but Clarendon Superintendent Jarod Bellar said no one in Region 16 had done so as of Monday.

“Right now we aren’t going to make a determination on that,” Bellar said about a possible school closure. “We’re here to educate kids and keep them safe, and there won’t be a break in that effort.”

Hedley Superintendent Garrett Bains said his school was also waiting on any determination to close the school.

“As of right now, we’re back to school on March 23,” Bains said. “We have zero cases [of COVID-19] in the Panhandle, and I want those days in our pocket for when we need them.”

Bains said he felt certain the virus would impact Region 16 schools in time.

“I bet we won’t make it to May,” he said. “It will touch every county eventually.”

Bellar said all UIL academic and athletic events have been suspended across the state effective March 13 and lasting until at least March 29.

Monday afternoon, the UIL also postponed all rehearsals, practices, and workouts conducted outside of the school day until March 29 as well.

Also on Monday, Gov. Greg Abbott waived STAAR testing requirements for this school year.

Bellar said the state is leaving promotions and end of course exams to the discretion of local schools, but that Clarendon will continue to work to make sure students are where they need to be.

Bains said his students may still take the test but that he had not yet made a determination on that.

“I think it’s worth looking at,” Bains said. “It’s an indicator, and we can tell if we’re moving forward the way we need to.”

Both Clarendon and Hedley schools say they are staying in close contact with the state and with Dr. John Howard locally. Hedley is going through a cleaning process while kids are on spring break, and Bellar said Clarendon School Nurse Debbie Thompson met with custodial staff before the break to talk about how the school can take extra precautions to combat the spread of germs.