Hays CISD Announces Suspension Of Normal Operations As Coronavirus Precaution

Hays CISD schools and offices will suspend normal operations through Sunday, April 5, 2020, at which time they will determine the next steps.

This means all in-person classes and activities are canceled through that date.

The district believes this action is necessary to help the community slow the spread of coronavirus.

District officials said they want to stress the importance of social/physical distancing and preventative measures such as hand washing during this time. 

Additional information about specific topics will be provided to individuals and posted at www.hayscisd.net/coronavirus on the following topics:

• Online and at-home instruction: Teachers and campuses will provide specific information after spring break to students. Look for this information around March 25th.

• Child nutrition school breakfast and lunch: The district will continue to provide meal service to students on free and reduced lunch plans. Information will be forthcoming on how meal distribution will occur. Meal service will begin no later than March 25th.      

• Employee work schedules and pay: The district intends to continue paying employees and staff during the emergency suspension of school and March paycheck direct deposits will occur as scheduled. Under the plan, staff would not have to use leave days and employees who work would receive premium pay. Additional information will be provided to employees through school district emails regarding work duties and pay.

• Teacher and staff access to school buildings: To limit large gatherings at school facilities, additional information will be provided to staff regarding access to school buildings through school district email. The district is developing a plan for teachers to be at school in small groups immediately following spring break to prepare at-home and online lessons for students. Information about this will be provided to teachers through district email.  

• Critical staff will be on duty: All critical operation district staff will be on duty to assist with emergency operations. Critical staff includes campus and district administrators and employees at campuses and in departments as assigned by supervisors.

• School Board meetings: The Board of Trustees will hold an emergency meeting today, Monday, March 16, 2020, to address the immediate needs of the district related to COVID-19. It is anticipated that the normal March meetings of the Board of Trustees scheduled for later in the month will be canceled.  

The Hays CISD coronavirus webpage has been updated to provide additional links and sections related to specific topics.

All official information related to Hays CISD and the coronavirus will be posted on this page, so it may serve as the trusted source of information regarding Hays CISD and the coronavirus.

Hays CISD said it is prepared to navigate this emergency and will be making decisions based on the best interests of community safety and health.

According to Tim Savoy, Hays CISD Communications Director, because this is new and uncharted territory for Hays CISD and the community, information and decisions may be changing on short notice, or not available right away.

Savory said, “However, please try not to worry. Now more than ever, Hays CISD employees and leadership will hold steadfast to our mission, which includes the word “nurture” in the very first sentence. The district will make decisions and address concerns with caring for everyone as the primary driving factor. We will all do our best and do what is right by our students, parents, employees, and community.”