Several districts announce Monday closures

School districts in Edmond, Moore, Norman and Oklahoma City are among those closing Monday so teachers can continue to participate in the statewide teacher walkout, the districts announced Friday.

Monday’s closure means the last day of school for students in the Oklahoma City district will be May 31.

That’s two days later than scheduled. “Missed instruction beyond (Monday) would be made up by increasing the minutes of future instructional days, or by adding additional days at the end of the current instructional calendar,” the district said in a statement.

The district, meanwhile, will continue to provide meals at no cost to anyone 18 and younger, but is reducing the number of meal distribution sites, according to the statement.

Visit www.okcps.org/ teacherwalkout for an updated list of meal pickup locations.

Communications Chief Beth Harrison said the district fed nearly 13,000 students during the first five days of the walkout, including about 1,100 at the state Capitol since Wednesday.

“As long as our distribution sites are open, we’ll be at the Capitol, too,” she said.

Moore Public Schools announced plans to close Monday after teachers “overwhelmingly indicated they intend to continue to advocate at the Capitol,” Superintendent Robert Romines told parents Friday.

The district plans to test third- fourth- and fifthgraders beginning Tuesday if the walkout continues, Romines said.

“Our district receives federal funds based on the completion of these assessments and thirdgraders must meet reading requirements to ensure promotion,” he said.

In a letter to parents, Norman Superintendent Nick Migliorino said teachers who were surveyed “have overwhelmingly indicated they intend to continue their advocacy at the Capitol on Monday.”

“I understand this situation is not ideal and that canceling school creates hardships for our families,” Migliorino said. “My intent remains to resume school as soon as possible. However, I cannot open our schools unless I am absolutely confident that we will have the educators and staff in place to provide instruction in a safe environment.”

Edmond announced schools would be closed Monday “due to the continued statewide teacher walkout.”