AISD 2020-2021 Calendar adjustments following winter storm

Following+the+winter+storm+on+Feb.+14%2C+the+Austin+Independent+School+District+has+adjusted+the+deadline+for+transfer+applications+within+the+district.+While+in+past+years+the+school+year+would+have+been+extended+to+make+up+for+lost+days%2C+the+district+is+currently+applying+for+a+waver+from+the+Texas+Education+Association+%28TEA%29+to+avoid+an+extended+year.+

Shruti Patel

Following the winter storm on Feb. 14, the Austin Independent School District has adjusted the deadline for transfer applications within the district. While in past years the school year would have been extended to make up for lost days, the district is currently applying for a waver from the Texas Education Association (TEA) to avoid an extended year.

Nicole Rooney, Dispatch Reporter

After the winter storm hit Texas on Feb. 14, there was a major power outage and water shortage causing the Austin Independent School District (AISD) to shut down schools during the week through Feb. 15 to Feb. 19. Following those cancellations, school was again called off on Feb. 21 and Feb. 22 due to continued power failures. As the impacts of the winter storms began to reside, Feb. 24 and Feb. 25 were transformed into days of remote instruction. In traditional circumstances,  schools would have to make up bad weather days, going into the summer for the district to meet certain requirements. However, AISD is applying for a waiver from the Texas Education Agency to avoid needing to create extra days to make up from the bad weather. As far as it is known right now, there have been no changes to the current school days in the calendar, but AISD is still going to be putting out updates.

One thing that did change because of the storm was the AISD transfer deadline. The deadline for transferring schools was originally on Feb 25 but was pushed back to March 1. Because of the storm, students were not able to go to school and get their transfer requests turned in, so AISD decided to move the deadline to give students more time.