Lamont waives 180-day rule for schools.

Most Fairfield County School districts are temporarily shutting down as the coronavirus threat grows, but the state has yet to require a statewide closure.

“We almost haven’t had to,” Gov. Ned Lamont told reporters on Thursday.

As what he called “red dots” grow, referring to the geographic map illustrating the spread of COVID-19, Lamont said he has signed an emergency order modifying the required 180-day school day for affected schools.

The order will require that schools be in session for 180 days or to June 30. Schools that have not reached 180 days by June 30 can still make that the last day of school.

Commissioner of Education Miguel Cardona said at least 19 of the state’s 166 school districts had already announced closures by midday Thursday. The list continues to grow.

There are 23 school districts in Fairfield County. Of those, at least 13 have announced they are closing.

Earlier this week, Westport, Wilton and Weston announced they would close, as did Wilcoxin School in Stratford where a child has tested positive for the virus.

On Thursday, Fairfield and Bridgeport announced they would close for at least a week.

School-sponsored sporting events, school assemblies and visits to schools had already been abruptly canceled and large assemblies of students discouraged.

For many, closing school buildings could mean an abrupt vacation. For others, it could provide opportunities for districts to try their hands at online instruction. How many will actually do it is uncertain.

In Fairfield, Schools Superintendent Michael Cummings said online lessons will challenge a lot of districts’ readiness to support student learning in meaningful ways.

“Given the potential length of a closure, we need flexibility to meet student needs and assurance from the state that we will be supported,” Cummings said. “Good faith efforts to keep learning moving forward need to be encouraged in a meaningful and collaborative manner.”

In Bridgeport, the closures will not be absolute. The district is opening 21 schools for an hour in the morning and an hour at lunch time to feed school district students, all of whom qualify for free and reduced priced lunch.

State officials say if the closings continue into April, the scheduled SAT Day in April may be postponed.