Schools in San Antonio move forward with face-to-face learning amid new wave of COVID-19 cases

SAN ANTONIO – Three major school districts in Pexer County are allowing face-to-face students to stay on campus as cases increase and the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District is keeping school risk levels “high”. Metro Health Recommendations for High Risk, published online Monday, have no in-person instruction. However, the department does not have the authority to implement that recommendation. Both Northside ISD and San Antonio ISD have paid some brakes in bringing more students back to campus. But both districts, along with the Northeast ISD, say students who are already on campus can stay there. “Right now, it is not our intention to change our plans. We do not see any project in all the virtual models, ”said NIST spokeswoman Barry Perez. The community’s positive rate for trials has increased by more than 15% and the seven – day case average was 993 as of Monday night. However, districts consider the situation to be safe within school walls. San Antonio ISD Superintendent Point Martinez told staff in a letter Monday that the district’s registered positive rate was the lowest – less than 1% – based on its testing programs. NEISD spokeswoman Aubrey Chancellor said several cases were not seen spreading on campus in the district. “We are open because our schools are safe. We are open because our data shows that it is not widespread. We are open because our security protocols are effective, ”he said. The Chancellor also pointed to Metro Health data, which shows the spread of seven cases in Becker County schools this year. Data showing a total of 881 cases may be incomplete. NIST and NIST have submitted more than 1,100 student and staff cases to KSAD from their respective districts – including some speculative cases in NISD numbers. It is not immediately clear whether they will be reflected in metro health figures. In any case, the return for distance learning is not entirely within the jurisdiction of the districts. Guidance from the Texas Institute of Education allows schools to close temporarily in response to situations such as campus explosions. However, if the district is not formed later this year, an active closure and a return to distance-only learning could affect state funding. “But I can tell you that the biggest factor in any decision we make is finance,” Perez said. “It will be the safety of students and staff.” .

Source