COVID-19 forces school closure
By Melinda L. Lucas
Albany ISD trustees made a tough decision during a Monday night meeting dominated by coronavirus concerns, eventually voting unanimously to suspend local classes through the end of March.
The board and administrators worked quickly through their regular agenda, including the selection of a new property insurance provider, before adjourning so the emergency part of the session, which had been set for 7:30 p.m., could be convened.
COVID Plan & Action
Board members reviewed events and information about COVID-19 that had changed almost hourly over the previous few days, with AISD administrators already responding to state and federal recommendations to try to curb the disease’s rapid spread.
Prior to the meeting, the March 9-13 spring break had first been extended by one day through March 16 and then a second day through March 17.
“Last Thursday, we didn’t really see this as transpiring as quickly as it has,” said Albany mayor pro tem Susan Montgomery, who was present Monday night along with city emergency manager coordinator Carrie Holson. “Even though education is important to all of us. we’ve got to be mindful of our senior adults, and through our school system, we’re guarding the whole community.”
Montgomery outlined what the city is doing to try to keep COVID-19 out of the community.
“Spring break couldn’t have come at a worse time,” said superintendent Jonathan Scott. “There was a ton of travel by a lot of families during that week.”
After a lengthy discussion, the board voted on an additional two-week closure extending through March 31, covering a 14-day incubation period after spring break. Additional suspension will be reassessed at a later date.
“Please know that no one wanted this for any of us,” said board member Ginny Ivy. “Our mission is to be as proactive as possible in hopes that two weeks doesn’t turn into four weeks, and four weeks to six weeks.”
The trustees also passed a resolution authorizing the district to pay both contractual and at-will employees during emergency school closure days.
Other Business
•After discussion, a motion was approved to move the AISD’s property insurance from the TASB Risk Fund to Public Educators Association of Texas, which will allow the district to go back to a September renewal date and also stay with the current workers comp provider.
•A $1 per year rental agreement with the City of Albany/Aztec Theater was renewed, allowing the school to utilize the facility.
•Student accident and health catastrophic coverage with Great American Insurance was renewed at a similar rate to current coverage.
•Gallagher commended employees of the Dallas ISD, who helped when a bus carrying Albany sixth graders broke down on the way home from a field trip last week.
