Good afternoon, this is Ben Spitzer, Superintendent of Chautauqua Lake Central School District. As you know, the County Executive has declared a state of emergency in Chautauqua County due to the COVID-19 virus. The Chautauqua County Department of Health has recommended that schools in our county close school effective Wednesday, March 18. Our school leadership team has been meeting regularly and met again today to review and refine our plans for responding to this situation. 

As a result of today's press conference with the Chautauqua County Department of Health and the County Executive, school will be closed tomorrow, Monday, March 16 for all students. All staff should report at their normal time for an in-service day. The purpose of tomorrow's in-service day will be to work with staff to create more detailed plans for a long-term closure. These plans will address such things as food preparation and distribution, continuity of instruction, return of student personal belongings and social and emotional support for our students and families. Parents are strongly encouraged to make arrangements for long-term care. 

Additional and more specific information will be forthcoming. Please visit our website and Facebook page tomorrow afternoon. Information regarding additional closure days will be provided at that time.