Erie County schools to close to students through April 20

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Photo credit McKinley High School. January 14, 2019 (WBEN Photo/Mike Baggerman)

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) - Schools in Erie County will close their district for all students immediately through April 20.

Buffalo Public Schools will still require their staff and faculty to report to work on Monday and Tuesday. Employees at other school districts should consult with their respective district for guidelines moving forward.

"It is clear to me that I do not want to wait another day for an infection of any student or any staff in any school site or non-school site in Buffalo," Cash said. "This decision needs to be made and it needs to be made decisively."

School closure info from Hamburg, Sweet Home, Orchard Park, and Cheektowaga schools.Some districts did not immediately update their website but I was told from the Buffalo Public Schools SPOX the closure does indeed apply to all schools in Erie County. pic.twitter.com/YSkbUJ832o

— Mike Baggerman (@MikeBaggerman) March 15, 2020

A telephone conference with county government led to the announcement on Sunday afternoon.

Cash said the Buffalo Public Schools will pledge two meals per day, breakfast and lunch, for students in need. Cash said he hopes there will be community support from organizations like churches to provide a "mini-supper" for impoverished students.

Cash said April 20 was selected because of the waiver requirements and various requirements for reimbursement of funds.