Katy ISD postpones in-person instruction to Sept. 8

In a July 23 press release, Katy ISD announced that on the first day of the 2020-21 school year, Aug. 19, all students will receive virtual instruction.

In-person classes will be an option for students beginning Sept. 8, per the release. At that time, students can also choose continue their education online through the Katy Virtual Academy should they be enrolled for KVA by Aug. 5.

This decision to delay the return of students for in-person instruction by three weeks was made after district leadership held conversations with local government and public health officials this week, the release states.

“It is my intention to continue to honor the requests and needs of the families who desire to return their students for in-person instruction,” KISD Superintendent Ken Gregorski said in the release. “On September 8, the goal is to resume plans to reopen campuses for both in-person instruction and virtual instruction."

However, Gregorski did add that these plans could change due to the coronavirus pandemic.

This postponement of in-person instruction comes just days after Gregorski penned a July 21 letter to parents reaffirming that KISD will allow them to choose whether their children will be educated in-person or virtually during the first part of the 2020-21 school year.

In a July 23 letter to parents published on the KISD Facebook page, Gregorski said the coronavirus pandemic is an evolving situation and the district's priority is to protect to the health and well-being of students and staff. The letter also notes Gregorski will provide another update about the reopening of schools at the July 27 regular board of trustees meeting, which begins at 5:30 p.m for public comment.