Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon has issued a state of emergency across the county in addressing the coronavirus.
During a March 14 press conference McMahon initially announced schools in the county would have classes until the end of the week.
The delayed start to the closure was planned to give families and schools time to make arrangements for continuity of instruction, childcare and a way to provide meals for any students in need while schools are closed.
“We need to give time to deal with childcare issues,” McMahon said during the March 14 news conference, after meeting with local school superintendents. “And there need to be plans in place to take care of our community’s most vulnerable.”
At that time McMahon said schools would be closed starting March 23 and schools will be staying closed until at least April 14 across the county.
Monday morning McMahon announced a confirmed case of coronavirus in Onondaga County.
According to the press conference the patient is a 70 year old woman.
More information such as what community she is from or what medical facility is attending to her were not shared.
McMahon announced all schools would be closing immediately.
Jordan-Elbridge and Skaneateles school districts previously announced they would be closing effective March 16.
“Although the Skaneateles Central School District is in Onondaga County, our affiliated educational extension center is the Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES located in Auburn,” Dr. Jeffrey K. Bryant, interim superintendent of schools at Skaneateles wrote in a press release. “ This means the Skaneateles Central School District will be required to follow the closing directive from that Cayuga County.Therefore, the Skaneateles Central School District will be closed to all students and evening activities beginning Monday, March 16 through Monday, April 13.”
OCC also announced it would be moving to offering online learning. The college will begin distance learning instruction March 23.
Presently the college’s plan is to reopen for face-to-face instruction on April 13, if permissible and advisable. A final decision on the reopening date will be made one week prior based on guidance from SUNY and the health department.
Throughout this period the college and campus will remain open and employees will report to work. Services will remain available to students.
Related policies and precautions include the following:
OCC students will be on spring break during the week of March 16. Residence hall students will be allowed to return to residence halls March 22. Disinfectant supplies will be available in each living area.
Computer facilities will be available on campus for students. Social distancing best practices will be in effect. Students will be separated by 6-foot buffers while using computers. Disinfectant supplies will be available at each computer along with instructional signage regarding proper usage.
Coulter Library and the Learning Center tutoring center will remain open but any meetings will only happen in small groups.
All college athletics teams’ practices and games prior to April 13 will be suspended.
Any gatherings on the OCC campus of more than 50 people prior to April 13 will be cancelled and every effort will be made to reschedule.
As has been the case since the beginning of this process, OCC will continue to receive guidance from the Onondaga County Health Department, the New York State Health department, and SUNY.
It is important that all students, faculty, and employees double check all of their emergency contact information in college systems and make sure it is up to date. All members of the campus community should routinely check their college email. In the event of a significant change in conditions we want to be able to contact everyone in a timely fashion.
