Sacramento City Unified School District Superintendent Jorge Aguilar, Mayor Darrell Steinberg, and SCTA President David Fisher today issued the following statement after being informed that an individual who worked as a substitute teacher in the Sacramento City Unified School District has died of complications of COVID-19.

“Today the Sacramento City Unified School District was deeply saddened to learn that the individual who worked as a temporary volunteer and a substitute teacher in our district has passed away,” said Sac City Unified Superintendent Jorge Aguilar. “We join the family, friends, colleagues and students in grieving this tragic loss. This death underscores the seriousness of this current public health emergency. Sac City Unified will continue to implement any and all measures recommended by public health leaders to protect the health and safety of our students, our staff, and our community.”

“The passing of an educator due to COVID-19 is tragic,” said Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg. “While our community steps up to meet the challenge of this public health crisis, I agree with our districts’ decision to temporarily close schools across Sacramento County to slow the spread of COVID-19. This is one of many steps that public health leaders are recommending, and I commend everyone in our city and county who are working together to meet this challenge with resolve.”

“This is a devastating loss to our community,” said SCTA President David Fisher and also a second grade teacher in the district. “Our schools are filled with young people, but it’s important to remember those in our school community are also older and perhaps more vulnerable at the time of this virus crisis.”

On Friday, Sac City Unified announced that all Sac City Unified schools will close for two weeks, starting Monday, March 16, 2020. This temporary closure is part of a coordinated action to close schools across Sacramento County to slow the spread of COVID-19.  All districts in Sacramento County will continue to provide meals for eligible students during the temporary school closure at locations across the city.

In this public health emergency, Sac City Unified is working closely with Sacramento County Public Health and the Sacramento County Office of Education, as well as coordinating closely with state and federal health agencies, to protect the health and wellbeing of students, staff and the Sacramento community.

Sacramento City Unified will continue to keep the community informed with updates related to the COVID-19 public health crisis that will be posted to the district website https://www.scusd.edu.