“I think that there is a small number of parents in our community that has a real good sound reason for not wanting to send their children to face to face instruction," says Steve Van Matre, superintendent of Premont ISD.
Unlike last year, the state is no longer funding online learning. Premont ISD will still be offering a virtual option, but only to students who qualify. Van Matre says virtual learning access will only be implemented until a vaccine for those 12 and under is made available.
Premont also plans on offering a $300 bonus to teachers who have been vaccinated, pending board approval.
The surge in Delta COVID-19 variant cases has many wondering about the return to school this fall.
With children under 12 still ineligible for a vaccine and some area districts already seeing case numbers as they return to class, Coastal Bend communities are concerned as the pandemic continues.
Each school district in the Coastal Bend has, or is working on a back-to-school COVID-19 contingency plan.
Here is Premont ISD's back-to-school COVID-19 plan:
Premont ISD COVID-19 Plan 2021 by Ryan Garza on Scribd