Arlington school district reaffirms decision to start the school year exclusively online
The Arlington school district still plans to start its school year Aug. 17 online after Attorney General Ken Paxton issued an opinion that county health officials cannot issue blanket closures of schools.
Superintendent Marcelo Cavazos said Wednesday evening that returning to school online-only is the safest way to get children back into classes amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The online-only education will last at least the first four weeks of school, with the exception of some special education programs.
As the district moves into those four weeks, it will examine waivers and opportunities to extend the period.
Tracie Brown, assistant superintendent for school leadership, said students in special education will have the option of in-person education.
“These are students who require intensive, consistent instruction and they need that in a structured learning sequence,” she said.
Board president Kecia Mays said the online learning will be more rigorous than last spring and that the district will continue to focus on health and the monitoring of data and recommendations by local health officials.
“We are prepared for online learning,” Mays said. “It will not be babysitting, it will be robust online training given by our teachers.”