TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas — On Monday, the Lake Travis Independent School District board voted to approve asking the Texas Education Agency for a waiver that allows the district to extend virtual learning for some students for up to an additional four weeks.
The move means some students won't return to the classroom now until Sept. 21. Families of Pre-K through fifth grade, as well as sixth- and ninth-grade, special needs students and students of teachers can choose to return as soon as Sept. 8.
The school year started virtually on Aug. 19 for Lake Travis ISD students.
Prior to the board's meeting on Monday, it wasn't clear what the district's next step would be. Options included allowing unlimited in-person learning starting on Sept. 8, starting in-person learning at just 25% capacity or continuing with all-virtual learning until mid-October.
At the meeting, parents let the district know that they aren't happy with all the uncertainty.
"Life isn't always safe. There are risks in life. You mitigate that the best you can, but you don't lock yourself in a bubble and not live," one parent said.
"I told my kids they're going back to school and now I'm going to tell them, 'I'm sorry, the school district was lying to you,'" another parent said. "This has to stop. Make a decision. Stick with it."
Austin-Travis County is currently in Stage 3 of the COVID-19 risk-based guidelines. Under those guidelines, schools can reopen at 50% capacity but Austin Public Health is recommending that schools phase students back in, starting at 25% capacity.