Three Austin-area ISDs are are requesting that their districts be allowed to suspend in-person instruction and begin the school year with 100% online instruction for all K-12 students.
Leander ISD, Plugerville ISD and Round Rock ISD sent letters to state education and political leaders. LISD and RRISD sent their letters July 13, followed by PfISD on July 14.
In addition to 100% online learning to start the school year, the three districts are also requesting the suspension of STAAR testing and the A-F state accountability system for the 2020-21 school year. The letter also requests additional funding and classroom size flexibility.
According to the letters, each of the districts would reopen the schools once the weekly hospitalization rate for coronavirus is five patients or less, the acceptable rate for a Stage 2 opening set by the Austin-Travis County public health agency.
LISD sent its letter to Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, the Texas Education Agency, state legislators representing LISD and state legislative leaders. RRISD and PISD letters were addressed to Texas Commissioner of Education Mike Morath. On its website, PfISD also included contact information for state officials and politicians.
“We want to be with our kids, full time, and in our classrooms. We want to support our families with regular schedules and the full complement of high-quality services our community deserves,” the LISD letter said. “We cannot jeopardize the health of our teachers in doing so.”
LISD trustee Aaron Johnson did not sign his district's letter.
Read the letter from each of the three districts here.
