Lake Travis ISD to discuss phased reopening of schools

Approximately 60% of Lake Travis ISD families have officially requested in-person learning as of the district's final tally Aug. 25. However, district officials are now revisiting plans to reopen campuses amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The LTISD board of trustees called a special in-person meeting Aug. 31 to discuss a phased approach to resuming on-campus learning based on recommendations from Austin Public Health. The district could gradually increase the number of students receiving on-campus instruction based on APH benchmarks.

Trustees will also discuss and take possible action on a Texas Education Agency waiver that would allow the district to extend remote learning through an eight-week transition period without losing funding.

“The district may consider beginning on-campus instruction at up to 25% capacity for a two week period and then increasing on-campus student access after that,” according to the waiver.

The district’s current plan would allow families to choose between 100% remote or 100% in-person instruction following Sept. 8. All families that request in-person learning would be approved, according to the district.

About 60% of families have requested in-person learning, and 40% have requested remote learning, according to LTISD Communications Director Marco Alvarado.

The Aug. 31 meeting will be held at 6 p.m. at the district’s education development center. The full agenda can be found on the LTISD website.