Round Rock ISD announced July 22 that a virtual learning option would be provided for students in kindergarten through sixth grade, citing COVID-19 vaccine availability and Williamson County's recent increase in reported cases.
Vaccines are not yet available to students under the age of 12, the district stated in a July 22 press release. The district also stated it would release COVID-19 safety guidelines for the coming semester July 29, followed by a virtual town hall to discuss safety protocols.
"We understand concerns due to the fact that children under 12 are not yet eligible to receive the vaccine and recognize that some families prefer at-home learning as the pandemic continues," the press release reads. "District leaders support the idea of continuing to provide a virtual option—particularly for students who may need it due to health concerns or who aren’t eligible for vaccinations—and were disappointed when the Texas Legislature did not pass a bill to fund virtual learning for the upcoming school year."
Virtual learning is being provided despite a lack of state funding, according to the release. It is unclear where this funding is coming from, or how much the district will spend to provide it. However, at previous school board meetings, Chief Financial Officer Kenneth Adix stated the district would lose roughly $8,000 per year, or $4,000 a semester in attendance-based funding for each student who opted for virtual learning.
