News

Schools cancel out-of-state travel

By Lightning Reports, Published: March 11, 2020

One day after Gov. Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency to combat the spread of the coronavirus, the Henderson County public school system announced that it was eliminating out-of-state travel for students and employees.

Since the safety and well-being of students and staff is the primary concern, district leadership suspended all out-of-state travel effective Wednesday until further notice, the school system said. This decision applies to all school-sponsored student trips out-of-state, including athletic events, and all employee work-related trips out-of-state. Any monetary impacts – such as fees paid and refunds – will be reviewed and addressed at a later date, given the uniqueness of the situation.

Additionally, out of an abundance of caution, students who are completing internships, clinical hours, or Occupational Course of Study hours in health care or retirement facilities will cease reporting to these locations, effective Thursday, March 12.

As of now, school-sponsored in-state travel is not suspended. However, families should be aware that school leaders may need to alter or cancel local or in-state activities on a case-by-case basis. As new information and public health recommendations become available, further guidance will be issued. For example, future changes to athletics, facility use, school visitors and other school-based events may be necessary. If so, families and staff be notified immediately.