State Aims to Help Schools Shuttered by Flu (KCBS AM-740)

KCBS 740 AM
April 30, 2009

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS)  -- The swine flu cases that have closed some Bay Area schools have brought with them challenges that go beyond medical concerns, and now the state is working on keeping funding flowing to schools that were forced to shutdown.

East Bay assemblyman Tom Torlakson is carrying legislation AB 95 that would ensure that schools affected by swine flu continue to receive funding from the state.

”Schools that must close down will be closed down, and students that should stay home because they’re sick will stay home and the schools will not suffer financially,” said Torlakson. “They’re suffering hard times already.”

Torlakson says under his bill, schools would not be penalized for having to shut down classes for a week. State schools superintendent Jack O’Connell says the outbreak could impact the school year.

”Most school districts will simply increase the number of assignments, or homework for the kids that are part of one of these three schools that will be closed for a week,” said O’Connell.

He says STAR testing for students would not be affected unless a school is closed for more than a week. He contends there’s more than ample time to complete testing within the selected time period.