The district reported 233 new cases of COVID-19 in students and staff on Jan. 18. There are also 683 students in isolation due to positive test results, according to a statement from the district.
Classes will not be held remotely or online. All classes are canceled. The district plans to resume school in person on Jan. 24. The closure will give the district time to do additional cleaning and sanitizing in all campuses and GCISD facilities, according to the district.
This closure is also due in part to a lack of substitute teachers available to fill in for sick teachers. On Jan. 19, GCISD reported that only 76 of the requested 169 substitute teacher positions were filled. This is a 44% fill rate.
According to the statement, the district has “exhausted other staffing options prior to making this decision,” and understands closing will be difficult for the community.
The announced closures come after similar closures in nearby districts due to illness and staffing shortages. Keller ISD closed two campuses on Jan. 14 while Northwest ISD closed all campuses Jan. 14 and Jan. 18.
Changes to GCISD's instructional calendar for the school year will be made in order to make up for the lost class time. Those include implementing one of the district's designated inclement weather days, adding two additional minutes to the school day for middle school students and extending a designated half day of instructional time in May to a full day, according to the district.
More information can be found on the district website here.
