AUSTIN, Texas — Despite worrying coronavirus numbers in Austin-Travis County and fear among teachers, staff members and parents, Austin ISD Thursday announced in-class instruction will resume for the spring semester beginning Tuesday, January 5. The district earlier was considering delaying the start of the school year or moving instruction completely online. 

In an email to parents, Austin ISD Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde said on-campus instruction will be optional, however, and remote learning will be available for those parents who prefer it. Additionally, families wishing to transition from on-campus to online learning will be permitted to do so if a request is made.

While in-classroom instruction is a go extracurricular activities are not. With the exception of varsity sports, all extracurricular activities for the spring semester are canceled.

Elizalde said if there is a surge in COVID-19 cases at campuses or facilities, they will be closed.

Travis County on Wednesday surpassed 50,000 total cases of COVID-19 and the Austin-Travis County region remais in Stage 5 of Austin Public Health's risk-based coronavirus guidelines. 

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Earlier this month, Education Austin, the union that represents Austin ISD teachers and staff members, filed grievances on behalf of 127 educators who were denied medical accommodations by the district.

Union leaders say Austin ISD denied more than a thousand requests for teachers and staff for the spring semester. Those teachers wish to continue working remotely. While the wishes of some teachers were granted for the fall semester, they were largely denied for the upcoming semester. Some of the teachers who made requests have health issues.

Those teachers believe their pre-existing health issues would put them at greater risk if they contracted COVID-19, and they’re worried about returning to the classroom.