Georgetown ISD teachers who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will no longer have to quarantine if exposed to the disease, said Courtney Acosta, GISD executive director for operations and school leadership, during a March 23 school board meeting.

"It helps us keep schools open because we have staff that are able to stay in classrooms with our students," she said.

The district is also working to get teachers and staff vaccinated through its partnership with Lone Star Circle of Care. The districts' health and wellness center has been offering doses since March.

Acosta said GISD has about 1,850 staff members, about 1,500 of which have shown interest in getting a vaccine. Employees who sign up for the vaccine will receive instructions from GISD partners to set up an appointment, she added.

“We will spend the rest of the semester making sure that anybody wanting their second dose, if they needed it or if they are still interested in getting the first dose, making sure that we provide them with avenues to do that," Acosta said.

The change in protocol is still in line with loosened Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for schools as well as guidance from the American Foundation of Teachers to facilitate a safe return to in-person instruction.

Vaccines are taking place at the district's health and wellness center, which operates out of Richarte High School, located at 2295 N. Austin Ave., Georgetown.