Governor Kay Ivey and State Superintendent Eric Mackey announced today that students will not return to school during the current school year.

Ivey had originally announced students would return in early April, but because the virus has continued to spread, Ivey and Mackey decided that would not be possible.

No school work can be required until April 6, because of the previous order, but beginning April 6, schools must have a plan in place for how to “complete the 2019-2020 school year using alternate methods of instruction as established by the State Superintendent of Education,” according to Ivey.

The Jefferson County Board of Education is working on a plan on how to instruct students through the end of the year and hope to announce the plan on the next few days, according to a statement issued.