Schools
Austin ISD May Push Classes To Sept. 8 Amid Coronavirus
The board of trustees have scheduled a meeting on Thursday to determine whether to push the start date for in-person learning.
AUSTIN, TX — The Austin ISD board of trustees have scheduled a special meeting on Thursday during which they will decide whether to delay the first day of school to Sept. 8 amid the coronavirus pandemic.
According to the school district's website, the remote meeting will start at 9 p.m. A return to classes originally was scheduled for Aug. 18 as previously approved by the board in January. Gov. Greg Abbott has voiced support for in-person learning for the upcoming semester, but left the ultimate decision on scheduling to individual school boards.
AISD.TV broadcasts the Austin ISD board meetings. Live broadcasts include information sessions on the second Monday of the month and regular voting meetings on the fourth Monday of the month. Meetings are rebroadcast Saturday at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., Sunday at 1 p.m. and Monday at 7 p.m. A complete television listing is available at AISD.TV.
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"In the face of the uncertainty caused by COVID-19, Austin ISD is working every day to provide definitive answers regarding the 2020–21 school year," officials wrote on the district website.
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The board of trustees in December approved the 2020–21 school calendar that includes Aug. 18 as the first day of school for students, district officials explained. However: "Given our current context, the district continues to closely monitor reports and information shared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about COVID-19, and we are in contact regularly with health officials from the city and county."
The purpose of the upcoming special meeting was encapsulated on the Austin ISD website: "The district must create a plan for next school year that prioritizes the health and safety of the AISD community, but that also meets the requirements and guidelines established by the Texas Education Agency and adheres to regulations from state, county and local health and government authorities."
To that end, "Austin ISD organized a Re-entry Task Force made up of teams from throughout the district that lead workgroups of families, community members, teachers, and campus and district-level staff from many departments," officials wrote. "The role of the task force is to propose models that ensure staff, students and families are prepared to begin the upcoming school year under a variety of conditions."
The Special Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Austin Independent School District is scheduled to take place on Thursday, Aug. 6, beginning at 9 p.m. The meeting will be presented via video conference in compliance with federal, state and local mandates associated with the COVID 19 pandemic, officials explained. As a result, a quorum of the board will not be physically present at one location, and will convene remotely using Zoom.
The meeting will be broadcast live on AISDTV by clicking here (link provided above) and on Facebook Live. Discussion may begin prior to or after the times indicated on the agenda, officials added.
En español:
Austin ISD Puede Retrasar Las Clases Hasta El 8 de septiembre Debido Al Coronavirus
Por Antonio Cantú
Funcionarios del Austin ISD (Distrito Escolar Independiente de Austin) han programado una reunión especial el jueves durante la cual decidirán si retrasar el primer día de clases hasta el 8 de septiembre en medio de la pandemia de coronavirus.
Según el sitio web del distrito escolar, la reunión remota comenzará a las 9 p.m. Originalmente, el regreso a las clases estaba programado para el 18 de agosto, según lo aprobado previamente por la junta en enero. El gobernador Greg Abbott ha expresado su apoyo al aprendizaje en persona para el próximo semestre, pero dejó la decisión final distritos escolares del estado.
AISD.TV transmite las reuniones de la junta de Austin ISD en vivo. Las transmisiones incluyen sesiones de información el segundo lunes del mes y reuniones de votación regulares el cuarto lunes del mes. Las reuniones se retransmiten el sábado a la 1 p.m. y 7 p.m., domingo a la 1 p.m. y lunes a las 7 p.m. Una lista completa de televisión está disponible en AISD.TV.
Mira la reunión del distrito escolar en vivo
"Ante la incertidumbre causada por COVID-19, Austin ISD está trabajando todos los días para proporcionar respuestas definitivas sobre el año escolar 2020–21," escribieron las autoridades en el sitio web del distrito escolar.
Una junta en diciembre aprobó el calendario escolar 2020–21 que incluye el 18 de agosto como el primer día de clases para los estudiantes, explicaron las autoridades del distrito. Sin embargo: "Dado nuestro contexto actual, el distrito continúa monitoreando de cerca los informes y la información compartida por el Centers for Disease Control and Prevention sobre COVID-19, y estamos en contacto regularmente con funcionarios de salud de la ciudad y el condado."
El propósito de la próxima reunión especial se resumió en el sitio web de Austin ISD: "El distrito debe crear un plan para el próximo año escolar que priorice la salud y la seguridad de la comunidad de Austin ISD, pero que también cumpla con los requisitos y las pautas establecidas por la Texas Education Agency y se adhiere a las regulaciones de las autoridades estatales y locales de salud y gobierno."
La reunión especial del Austin ISD está programada para el jueves 6 de agosto a partir de las 9 p.m. La reunión será remota por video debido a la necesidad de distanciamiento físico en medio del coronavirus.
La reunión se transmitirá en vivo en AISDTV y en Facebook Live. La discusión puede comenzar antes o después de los tiempos indicados en esta agenda, agregaron los funcionarios.
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