District officials estimate elementary school students could return to in-person learning Feb. 24, but it might take as long as March 1 for middle and high students to return to campuses.
This move is not a result of serious building damage, Assistant Communications Director Meghan Cone said, but rather a result of preventive measures the district took to protect its infrastructure and property. Frisco ISD took some of its buildings completely off the electric grid and completely drained some buildings of their water supply.
It will take some time to restore electric grid connections and water and food supplies to all district buildings, Cone said.
“This will be a time and labor intensive process that will allow us to continue to assess for any additional damage to our facilities,” Cone wrote in an email. “As a result, Frisco ISD cannot safely bring students and staff back into our buildings on Monday.”
So far, only minor issues, such as small water leaks, have been reported at some district buildings, Cone said.
This tentative timeline for a return to in-person learning is “dependent on the restoration of [district] campuses and reliability of electricity and internet connectivity,” the letter stated.
While buildings are being assessed, the district has tentatively planned for students to receive asynchronous instruction, or learning that does not require real-time or in-person interaction.
In addition to preventing damages, the district’s aim in disconnecting from the grid was helping to make sure homeowners kept power and to conserve energy, the letter stated.
The district will provide another update to families Feb. 21, according to the letter.
