Frisco ISD anticipates offering in-person instruction, virtual option in fall pending call with TEA

Frisco ISD is leaning toward offering face-to-face instruction in the 2020-21 school year with an online instruction option, according to a message from Superintendent Mike Waldrip.

Waldrip’s June 18 message to FISD families comes after Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath released a statement to The Texas Tribune that he believes it will be safe for Texas public schools to return to in-person instruction in the fall with virtual options for families with health concerns.

“Frisco ISD has been waiting for additional guidance from [the Texas Education Agency] before finalizing our plans for the 2020-21 school year,” Waldrip said in the message. “It is unfortunate that the state decided to release this information to the media while having districts wait until next Tuesday to receive details.”

FISD trustee John Classe tweeted June 18 that the governor and Morath should have shared guidance directly with public school leaders first.

“We’re the ones holding the phone in our communities. Instead, calls [with] us have been postponed while stories like this get released,” Classe said of The Texas Tribune story in the tweet. “Let’s do better.”

Pending a scheduled call with the TEA next Tuesday, Waldrip said the district anticipates offering 100% face-to-face instruction in the fall with an option for 100% online instruction through a Virtual Academy.

“Families should expect to receive a commitment form for their students next week to indicate whether their child will attend school at a campus or through the Virtual Academy for the upcoming school year,” he said in the message. “The district plans to include any health and safety procedures that are finalized at the time based on guidance from the TEA to assist families with their decision.”