Hays CISD to reopen campuses to parents, visitors March 1

Hays CISD Superintendent Eric Wright announced at a regular board meeting Feb. 22 that all district campuses will be reopening to parents and other visitors beginning March 1.

District leadership had hoped to relax visitor restrictions on campuses in January, which was ultimately halted as a result of the post-winter break COVID-19 case surge.

Visitors will only be let in from one door, though campus principals will follow up with any specific protocols if desired, as a way for the community to be part of the educational process again, Wright said.

“Some people might still have some fear, but it is absolutely the right thing to do. We need our community to be involved with public education. How can we, as a nation, get back on top of public education if the public is not involved in the education?” Trustee Meredith Keller said.

Wright added that he hopes to reinstate Taxpayer Tuesdays, a once-a-month event for business leaders and community members to visit the superintendent at a different school and discuss district issues. He also hopes to add campus coffee, parent teacher association and other events back onto campuses.

Visitor protocols, such as providing a valid form of identification, will still apply.

The district will be providing more information regarding the reopening of campuses closer to March 1.