School Superintendent for Portland Xavier Botana (L) with City Councilor Pious Ali at East End Community School Several Years Ago.

Portland Public Schools Superintendent Xavier Botana announced today, March 14, that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the district will close all schools for two weeks beginning Monday, March 16 and lasting until Monday, March 30th.

This includes Portland Adult Education, and the Portland Arts and Technology High School (PATHS),  before- and after-care programs, including the city of Portland Recreation, will also close during this time.

Information on remote learning and meal programs will be shared next week.

“While we have no cases reported in the Portland Public Schools yet, there is one presumptively positive case of the virus in our city.  After consulting with our district physician, my administrative team, local, state and other school district officials, I have determined that this closure is the responsible action to take,” Botana said.  “To prevent the spread of the virus and allow us to reopen on March 30, we need all families to practice and enforce strict social distancing during this time.”