BONNERS FERRY — Following the COVID-19 pandemic spreading into Idaho, schools have been taking precautions and many are temporarily closing down to stop the spread of the virus. Now Boundary County will join those ranks.

A special meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Boundary County School District 101 was originally scheduled for Tuesday, March 17, to discuss and decide how to proceed, but the meeting was rescheduled for Monday, March 16, due to the possible severity of the matter.

The board decided that starting on March 18, all schools will be closed through April 5.

“All schools in Boundary County Students will return to school Monday, April 6, unless notified otherwise,” said Boundary County School District Superintendent Jan Bayer. “We are prepared to go to online learning starting April 6, if necessary.”

All extra-curricular activites will be cancelled as well, which includes Badger sports.

“Be safe, wash your hands, and please stay home!” said Bayer.

Similar decisions were made throughout North Idaho, as districts including Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls, Lakeland, Lake Pend Oreille, West Bonner County and Kellogg canceled classes through April 6.

Across the state line, all Washington public schools are closed through April 24. Montana’s governor closed all K-12 public schools from March 15 through 27.