After conducting a survey with about 8,000 responses, Brent said GISD families want both options.
“People want to come to school, and people want to do home learning. We will do both,” Brent said.
The announcement comes after the Texas Education Agency released guidelines on how districts should operate in the fall. The TEA requirements state districts should comply with the statewide masks orders and notify parents and staff of any confirmed coronavirus cases within a school.
Brent said the district is prioritizing face masks and shields for students who want to attend in person, and the district is currently working on how to navigate that for each grade.
He added the district is working to acquire enough technology, including laptops and Wi-Fi hot spots, for each student in a 1-1 ratio so each student will have equal access. Brent promised education standards will remain the same whichever decision the family makes.
GISD will now be giving weekly updates on its decisions for the 2020-21 school year so parents and families can plan ahead.
“Know this is fluid,” Brent said. "We are going to navigate this together and communicate as effectively as we can as frequently as we can so you can have all the information you need to make the best decision for your child’s future.”
