Steuben County schools to close effective March 18th - State of Emergency declared

Steuben County Manager Jack Wheeler announced today that a State of Emergency has been declared in that county beginning Wednesday, March 18th. In addition, ALL Steuben County schools will close March 18 through April 12. Wheeler says the actions are "precautionary," noting that there have been no confirmed COVID-19 cases in Steuben. According to The Spectator/Evening Tribune Wheeler and Public Health Director Darlene Smith have met with school superintendents to develop a unified plan for an extended dismissal of students. Governor Cuomo, through his executive order of March 13, placed authority for school dismissal at the local level, and these actions are taken as a precaution to be standardized across the county. The Spectator also reported that schools in Steuben County will be utilizing Monday, March 16 and Tuesday, March 17 to prepare staff and students for this extended dismissal.