Due to concerns amid the evolving coronavirus situation, Eanes ISD announced the decision to cancel all school-sponsored out-of-state travel, including a trip for the Hill Country Middle School band that was scheduled for later this week.
In a March 10 letter, Superintendent Tom Leonard stated due to the uncertainty of the situation, the district does not feel confident in its ability to ensure the safety of an out-of-state trip.
“Just yesterday [March 9], we learned a Westlake High School student who recently attended an out-of-state conference is now quarantined because an attendee at the conference became infected with the coronavirus,” Leonard said. “I understand the inconvenience this change may cause some families. At the same time, I hope you can understand our need to put student safety first.”
School-sponsored trips scheduled for after spring break, which will be March 16-20, will be evaluated by the district moving forward.
The University Interscholastic League (UIL) will continue to travel within Texas, and school trips within the state outside of the UIL group will be evaluated on a case by case basis, according to Leonard.
The district asks that families traveling to affected areas continue to follow the guidance given by local, state and federal authorities and maintain communication with their campus’s principal.
EISD is also prioritizing precautionary action against the spread of germs in the wake of concerns regarding coronavirus.
Leonard announced March 9 the district will continue to sanitize campuses daily and will increase the frequency of cleaning throughout the day. EISD school buses will also be disinfected on a daily basis, and hand sanitizer stations will be added around campus.
“With the ever-evolving information and media attention about the coronavirus, our community understandably has elevated concerns about how to prevent, prepare for and respond to the spread of the disease in our schools,” Leonard said.
Neighboring district Lake Travis ISD is also closely monitoring the situation. According to district information, LTISD is in close contact with local districts and law-enforcement agencies and announced in an online post Feb. 27 officials will continue to promote good hygiene among students and work with custodial staff to ensure proper daily cleaning practices.
At this time LTISD has not announced any plans to alter its school schedule or cancel school travel plans. However, according to Marco Alvarado, director of communications and media relations, the district is set to release updated information on March 11.
This is a developing story; check back for updates
