Austin ISD considering making Nov. 3 Election Day a student holiday

In an attempt to limit the spread of COVID-19 and expand the availability of polling locations in Travis County, Austin ISD is considering making Nov. 3 a student holiday this fall.

Each November, numerous AISD campuses are used as Travis County polling locations. This invites the public onto campuses while students and teachers are on-site in class.

If the change is approved by the district, the AISD calendar would be edited, shifting a previously scheduled professional development day on Oct. 12 to Nov. 3.

“Having a student holiday for election day would also decrease the number of people on campuses that may potentially be used as election sites for the general election,” district documents state. “This would encourage a lower capacity for a campus and allow for greater social distancing for voters to assist in limiting the spread of COVID.”

While classes would not be held Nov. 3 if approved, staff may still be present at schools.

The AISD board of trustees will discuss the possible change at its Sept. 14 board information session with a possible vote scheduled for later this month.

At present, AISD does not have students on campus, as learning to start the school year is 100% virtual. However, Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde told Community Impact Newspaper earlier this month that the district anticipates welcoming up to 25% of students back beginning Oct. 6. That capacity could be increased leading up to the November election depending on local health conditions, she said.