1. The school year will begin Aug. 19.
LTISD has frequently confirmed there will be no alterations to the board-approved 2020-21 academic calendar. The final day of instruction is still scheduled for May 28.
2. In-person classes will be suspended until at least Sept. 8.
In-person instruction will be suspended until Sept. 8 in accordance with orders from the city of Austin and Travis County following a surge in coronavirus cases.
Outgoing Superintendent Brad Lancaster noted during a July 15 board meeting this suspension could be extended or revised by several outside authorities, including Travis County or Gov. Greg Abbott.
3. Extracurriculars and sports are delayed until Sept. 8.
Extracurricular activities will be suspended until Sept. 8 per Travis County’s order. Lancaster confirmed the suspension includes any athletic practices taking place prior to the first day of school Aug. 19 as well as Lake Travis High School’s football game scheduled for Aug. 28.
4. LTISD will welcome its new superintendent Aug. 3.
Paul Norton’s first day as superintendent is Aug. 3, according to information from LTISD.
Formerly of Texarkana ISD, Norton will fill the role left vacant by Lancaster, who has served the district for more than eight years.
5. Parents will choose between 100% in-person instruction or 100% virtual instruction following the first three weeks of school.
At this time, LTISD plans to offer both full-time in-person learning and remote learning options following the expiration of Travis County’s order Sept. 8.
Parents will have the option to select either 100% virtual instruction or 100% in-person instruction and will have until two weeks prior to the first day of school to change their minds, according to the Texas Education Agency.
6. School hours will remain unchanged.
LTISD students will abide by a traditional schedule whether they select remote or in-person instruction for the 2020-21 school year.
Elementary school students will be in classes from 7:40 a.m.-3 p.m., and middle school and high school students from 8:50 a.m.-4:10 p.m.
7. The remote learning model will differ from what students utilized in the spring.
Lancaster said July 15 that LTISD’s virtual learning platform will be more substantial than what was administered in the spring semester, with more intense and scheduled teacher interactions.
The remote learning model provides individual schedules for the elementary and secondary school levels, with each serving as a framework for how students can check in with their teachers and complete classwork, according to Elizabeth Deterra, assistant superintendent of learning and teaching services
“The framework for the schedule is in place, but if it’s not followed exactly, that’s fine,” Deterra said, adding that this will provide flexibility for students who may require parental assistance throughout the day.
8. All plans are subject to change.
Due to the evolving nature of the coronavirus pandemic, LTISD has confirmed all plans are subject to change at any point to comply with outside agencies or adjust to public health conditions.
