School district suspends travel amid coronavirus speculation

PALMER — The Mat-Su Borough School District announced this week in an email to staff that all international and domestic travel has been canceled for March and April in an effort to prevent possible exposure to the coronavirus. MSBSD Public Information Officer Jillian Morrissey is asking that any families with questions visit the dedicated page at www.matsuk12.us/coronavirus.

“We’re working with every federal, state and local public health entity that we can and that we need to be in touch with,” said Morrissey.

Morrissey said that MSBSD heard the news that the Anchorage School District was canceling their international travel on Feb. 28 and had the weekend to digest all of the new information. As school district headquarters staff arrived at work on Monday, a decision had to be made with the knowledge that over 300 students were headed out on 20 separate spring break trips to various locations. The school district also suspended all business travel for staff, including the travel suspension for students, teachers and trip leaders.

“Administration is currently working on refunds, vouchers, fee waivers, etc. for these trips. Many of the trips will be rescheduled for later,” wrote Morrissey.

Morrissey was unable to provide a set dollar amount for the cost that was paid in advance for the 20 school trips. Staff within MSBSD reacted this week in uproar that their funds may not be reimbursed.

“We’re looking at all of those options right now but with the intent first of working with those companies to try to find a way to reduce any potential burden that the suspension would put on families,” said Morrissey.

Morrissey said that the school district health coordinator is working with school nurses to relay best practices and distribute up to date information. The health coordinator has also been working with the Center for Disease Control and the Department of Health and Social Services on conference calls multiple times a week. Custodial staff will continue routine cleaning and disinfection processes on school sites. School district administration continue to monitor the situation around COVID 19, noting that the largest gathering of people in a small space happens in Mat-Su Borough schools every day.

“We know how disruptive this is so we are using district services to figure out what we can do and how to support these families,” said Morrissey.