Conroe ISD Superintendent Curtis Null announced during a virtual update on Aug. 6, as a response to the resurgence of COVID-19 and because students under the age of 12 are not eligible for vaccinations, the district will offer a limited virtual program for students in pre-K through sixth grade as the 2021-22 school year begins.
The program is not authorized or funded by the state, and students are accepted based on an application, Null said. The application deadline is Aug. 10.
As of Aug. 9, the program will run for one semester and start no earlier than Aug. 23, according to the district. The district will accept students based on the availability of space and instructional staff at each grade level requested. After the first semester, all students enrolled in the virtual program will return to in-person instruction.
Legislation providing funds for virtual schooling for the 2021-22 school year did not pass the Texas Legislature in this year's regular session, so CISD opted out of the program. However, Null said the district should still offer an option given the recent surge in cases.
“We understand that this system is not perfect, but we have stepped up and stepped out to do our very best to serve our community,” Null said during the virtual update on Aug. 6. “I know that our virtual program will only serve a very few number of our students, but for many of you, you are looking forward to that return to school next Wednesday. And we cannot wait to see you."
During the update, Null said priority will be given to households with unique and special circumstances, and the program serves as an alternative for students who were going to be homeschooled or through an online school program.
Null also encouraged the use of masks and said CISD may change various policies in the coming weeks depending on the progression of coronavirus cases. The first day of in-person instruction for CISD is Aug. 11.
Families can visit www.virtual.conroeisd.net to learn more and apply for the program.
