The Austin school board on Friday night passed a resolution that would prepare the district for a potential extension of spring break amid concerns about the new coronavirus pandemic.
The break, which currently runs through next week, began a day early for students and staff when officials alerted parents in the wee hours of Friday morning that classes were canceled for the day. Austin school leaders have not decided whether to extend spring break further.
“I’ve not made that decision yet,” Superintendent Paul Cruz said. “I will be working with our city and county leaders and my staff to make that determination as soon as possible. I know it’s on everybody’s minds. It’s on my mind as well.”
Austin and Travis County authorities on Friday confirmed that three people in the county have tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.
The Manor and New Braunfels school districts on Friday announced they are extending spring break by a week. Other school districts have decided to wait and see.
The school board’s resolution ensures that school teachers and staff will be paid through March 30, in the event of an extension, Cruz said. The resolution may also help facilitate reimbursement from the state or federal government due to the extra expenses the district could take on while preventing the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.
“We need to make decisions about purchases and changes in real time,” he said. “That’s what the board has authorized. (For example), facilitating continuous learning for our students, which may include distance learning technology. It would also include making sure that we can pay our staff members.”
The purchase of cleaning supplies should also fall under this resolution, he said.
“It’s just about making sure that we’re purchasing the right supplies, to make sure that we’re cleaning our schools daily — because we’re taking extra measures to keep our schools clean,” he said.
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