Bell County will Be ‘Flexible’ with At-Risk Teachers & Staff

CBS Austin is reporting that Gov. Gregg Abbott, among other state officials, are standing by the decision to start the 2020-2021 school year this fall.

"The Texas Education Agency’s (TEA) guidance for opening public schools in Texas for the 2020-21 school year remains the same as announced two weeks ago."

While school districts across Texas get ready for the fall opening, Bell County school officials have said the they will be flexible with teachers and staff who may be at high risk of getting COVID-19.

KWTX is reporting that John Craft, KISD's superintendent, said,

"We're going to handle each situation on a case by case basis because we recognize there is not a catch-all."

Teachers across the state have expressed concern about the timing of this year's school session as cases of COVID-19 continue to rise. Bell County had reported just under 3,500 cases at the time of this writing, with Killeen and Temple each reporting over 1,100 cases.

Christian Hernandez, district spokesperson, says the district will,

“work with employees on an individual basis when it comes to work accommodations."

Teachers are required to report to campus as schools are set to re-open for the fall semester, although they are also offering both in-class on online classes to students and parents.

Killeen ISD opens on Aug. 17 with a fully virtual teaching plan and in-person instruction to begin on Sept. 8.

Belton ISD classes, in person and online, start on Sept. 8.