One Austin ISD school still without power; district pivots with modified school day Feb. 6

One Austin ISD elementary school is still without power, and the district has come up with a modified school day for the campus Feb. 6.

Hill Elementary School students and staff will be hosted at Padron Elementary School at 2011 W. Rundberg Lane, Austin, AISD Assistant Director of Communications Elizabeth Lippincott said. All other campuses and offices in the district are open.

“Hill students will receive breakfast and a hot lunch at Padron on Feb. 6,” Lippincott said. “Hill students rode their regular buses to Padron and will be with their teachers and classmates during the day.”

Some campuses are still experiencing intermittent telephone and internet services, Superintendent Matias Segura said in an email to parents and staff.

“This will not prevent us from opening schools but may require patience and flexibility from students, families and staff,” Segura said.

Segura also said the district understands some families may still be without power or dealing with the aftermath of the winter storm. As a result, absences will be excused for students who are unable to attend school Feb. 6 due to winter-related circumstances, he said. For high school students, those absences will count against the state's 90% attendance rate requirement, Lippincott said.

“Thanks to the tireless work from Austin ISD employees, we are prepared to provide all students with a warm, safe and welcoming learning environment [on Feb. 6],” Segura said.