SAN ANTONIO — Nearly 50 pages outline the working plan San Antonio Independent School District has in mind for the upcoming school year amid concerns over the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. 

What You Need To Know

  • SAISD released working plan for upcoming school year 

  • First three weeks will be entirely virtual

  • Parents concerned many students don't have access to technology needed for distance learning

The draft, posted online, details what district parents and their students can expect the first few weeks of class.

"Going in, it is going to be different that what it was in the spring [semester]," said Leslie Price, an SAISD spokeswoman.

Following guidance from the Texas Education Agency, the first three weeks of class will be entirely virtual. Then, after Labor Day, the decision will be left up to parents, according to the district's continuity plan.

"They have a choice of continuing on with their teacher-led, remote learning from home or on-campus, in-person learning. At the end of each nine-week grading period, parents have the opportunity to change to a different model if they want to - they are not locked into their first choice they begin after Labor Day," Price said.

Many Texas school districts will be considering or offering the same options in August. Yet, in districts like SAISD, where students are often on the wrong side of the digital divide, Joe Cantu, co-founder of a parent group called MindShiftED, can't help but worry after hearing some students are without the proper technology.

"On Monday, during the school board meeting, the superintendent said only 80 percent of their students have access to a device that's been provided by the school, which means there are 20 percent of students are without," Cantu said. 

MindShiftED was created in January to empower parents and overcome education deficiencies. Through a petition, the group is calling on district leaders to ensure they close the digital divide before school begins.

"Right now, the internet and having that computer is that transportation to get them to school and that is not being provided," Cantu said.

District officials had trouble connecting with students after schools suddenly went virtual in March. By the end of the school year, they only got devices in the hands of about 97 percent kids. However, when speaking on concerns over the digital divide and not the petition, Price said they do have devices available and all students will have them.

"For new students, if they don't have a device at home, we are going to distribute one to them. If they need help with the Wi-Fi, then we can provide the hot spot. That's one of the things we are making sure before school starts," Price said.

Cantu's petition includes other requests such as a recovery plan and distance learning improvements. They're issues he plans on taking up with the district. 

"We are reaching out to the school board members to make sure we have a conversation with them and our parents. That way they understand the gravity of the situation and what it means to our community," Cantu said.

Price said parents can still submit feedback online before the district finalizes the plan. To read the 49-page draft, visit their website.