Reference Desk and News

Q:        I keep hearing about President Biden’s pledge to reopen K-12 schools within 100 days. We’re already open and have been all year. Does this just mean he wants more virtual learners back in the classroom?  A:        Yes. President Biden has asked Congress to authorize nearly $170 billion to help schools and colleges reopen quickly and safely. This amount far surpasses the $67.5 billion in COVID-19-related educational aid Congress previously passed in March and December 2020. While negotiations...

Q:        Our District still has a significant number of remote learners. Will they be required to take the STAAR test in person?  A:        Yes. For STAAR testing, a student must be present at a monitored testing session and must be supervised by a trained test administrator.  TEA released its Spring 2021 State Assessment Guidance with testing FAQs on January 14, 2021. The guidance requires that students test at a monitored testing site to ensure equity for all students. However, most...

Q:        Our district is receiving inquiries from parents regarding whether our next regularly scheduled Board of Trustees meeting will be held in person. Our Board meetings are currently being held virtually in accordance with the Governor’s suspension of certain Texas Open Meetings Act requirements, effective March 16, 2020, in response to the novel coronavirus disaster declaration. Is this suspension still in effect?  A:        Yes. The Office of the Governor of Texas has granted an additional 30-day extension, effective January 5,...

Q:       A teacher at our District was allowed to use two weeks of leave in December under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) because her childcare provider was closed due to COVID-19. The teacher is scheduled to be paid for the two weeks of leave during our January payroll cycle. Do we still have to pay the teacher for that leave even though the FFCRA has now expired?  A:        Yes. Although the FFCRA expired on December 31,...

Q:        I read somewhere that TEA has updated the COVID-19 close contact re-entry procedures and criteria based on new guidance from the CDC. Are there exceptions to the mandatory 14-day stay-at-home period now?  A:        Yes. TEA released an updated version of the Public Health Planning Guidance on December 10, 2020 which provides districts with the option of several shorter stay-at-home periods for individuals determined to be close contact.  On December 2, 2020, the CDC amended their guidance to allow for...