Today the Louisiana Department of Education issued a report on the status of school districts across the state. (PLEASE NOTE: The report is subject to change. The local school district may make adjustments.) In summary, those school districts located in parishes hit hardest by Hurricane Gustav, primarily in the south central, southeast and central part of the state are indicating they will not be prepared to resume school before Monday. In some cases, particularly where the eye of the storm passed along the Gulf Coast, it will likely be beyond that date, and perhaps as much as a week or two before classes can commence. The western, southwestern and northern parts of the state were spared the immediate effects of Gustav. However, as a result of very heavy rains and tornados sustained in the aftermath of the storm on Tuesday and today, additional school communities outside the path of the storm may have to postpone classes beyond Thursday.

Operations of almost all schools have been halted since Friday, August 29 when the state braced for as Hurricane Gustav.

"As we anticipated, school districts in Terrebonne, Lafourche, St. Mary, St. Martin, Assumption and other parishes in the south are reporting notable damage to school buildings and severe power outages. We are continuing to work with districts as they assess the damages and make adjustments to accommodate students and families in their school communities," said State Superintendent of Education Paul Pastorek. "Many local superintendents and education officials and working very hard under difficult circumstances to reopen schools for students as fast as possible. Because of great planning and post storm collaboration, these local officials are bringing schools back remarkably fast. The good news is that there are some areas in the state that are ready to resume classes Thursday, and even those who have been substantially impacted seem well prepared and are working to serve their communities. However, there are some locations that have been too heavily devastated and continue to be pelted with rains and tornadoes, and it is just too early to tell when schools in several parishes can reopen. We encourage families to stay tune to their local media for updates."

For information on school district closures, please visit the Department of Education website at http://www.louisianaschools.net/ or refer to the attached list of updated closures.

List of Updated Closures