STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

The Blaine County School Board will meet on Monday, March 30, to consider the extension of school closures for its 3,400 students.

The State Board of Education ordered all schools in Idaho to adopt a “soft closure” at least until April 20. Blaine County had already closed schools for three weeks until April 6 after the first case of coronavirus was confirmed in the county.

The county now has 40 confirmed cases--nearly half of the total cases in Idaho.

Trustees will also discuss plans for distance learning during the closure.

School officials say they’re confident that seniors who were on track to graduate at the time of the district’s initial closure on March 16 will be able to graduate this spring pursuant to guidelines and waivers from the State Board of Education, which are still being finalized.

Monday’s meeting, at 5:30 p.m., will be conducted through an internet platform that is being tested at this time.