Construction of the multi-million dollar high school addition in Monticello continues amid social distancing guidelines from the federal government over the coronavirus outbreak.

Superintendent Dr. Vic Zimmerman says the advantages of having students out of the building for an extended period is going to allow contractors to get as much work in as possible without disrupting classes.

For Monticello Schools, the summer months were going to be vital in the progress of the project because students would not be in the building and now with school closed likely until the end of April, if not beyond, Dr. Zimmerman expects things to move along at a quicker pace, however, not everything is going their way right now.

As everyone navigates through this period in time unlike any other, Dr. Zimmerman is encouraging his students to stay connected and they are also asking teachers to remain connected with students.

With the President's extension of the federal social distancing guidelines to April 30, the questions will become, do students get the opportunity to get back to school before the end of the year.  

The Illinois State Board of Education has declared March 17-20 and March 30 Act of God Days so those will not be required to be made up, but they have also instituted at-home learning for students going forward.