The Los Angeles Unified School District has announced today that it will close schools effective Monday in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19. San Diego Unified School District, the second largest district in the state, also announced this morning that they will close.

“There is evidence the virus is already present in the communities we serve, and our efforts now must be aimed at preventing its spread,” LAUSD Superintendent Austin Beutner and SDUSD Superintendent Cindy Marten said in a statement. This follows an emergency meeting early Friday morning as tension grows amid spread of the coronavirus. There was debate over whether the district should temporarily close its doors as an attempt to slow the spread. According to the L.A. Times, the L.A. teachers union, United Teachers Los Angeles had called on the district to take a “proactive approach” by shutting down campuses. Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District dismissed students from class Friday and Monday with teachers and staff still reporting to work.

Today on AirTalk, we discuss the latest from LAUSD and look at the difficult considerations districts are weighing amid the spread of coronavirus. Are you a parent of a student? What are your thoughts as districts make the difficult decision to close school doors? We want to hear from you. Join the conversation by calling 866-893-5722.

Guests:

Alfonso Jimenez, deputy superintendent for the Santa Ana Unified School District

Gail Pinsker, community and public relations officer for the Santa Monica - Malibu Unified School District; the district has dismissed students from school for the next couple of days but has not closed yet; she tweets