PISD surveyed all parents with children in kindergarten through sixth grade from Sept. 22-26 to determine the interest in having a remote learning option for the second nine-week period from Oct. 18-Dec. 17. Of the 10,500 students enrolled in those grades within the district, 236 parents expressed interest, and of those, about 140 qualified under state rules, according to PISD.
“The requirements to serve this small population would be cost prohibitive given our current deficit budget,” the district’s board meeting documents read. “Thus the administration has determined that it is not fiscally or practically feasible to offer remote instruction this fall semester.”
The district chose to gauge interest in a virtual option after Senate Bill 15 allowed students to receive full funding for remote learning if they qualified.
Additionally, most students within the kindergarten to sixth grade group are under the age of 12, who are still not eligible for a vaccine. Pfizer on Oct. 7 officially requested approval from the Food and Drug Administration to make children ages 5-11 eligible for their vaccine.
According to PISD, 82% of district employees who responded to a survey indicated they are vaccinated.
The district’s board will discuss the virtual learning option program and other COVID-19 matters during its meeting Oct. 12, which starts at 5 p.m. at the PISD Administration Building,1928 N. Main St., Pearland.
