PfISD To Offer Limited Virtual Learning Option For 2021-22

PFLUGERVILLE, TX —The Pflugerville Independent School District (PfISD) announced Thursday that it will offer a limited K-12 virtual learning option for students during the 2021-22 school year.

The district said it will offer the option despite not getting state funding for the service after the Texas Legislature and Texas Education Agency (TEA) did not authorize a virtual option. A bill that would have provided state funding for virtual learning did gain support in both chambers of the Texas Legislature. However, it did not pass before the session ended.

"When considering vaccine availability, the low COVID-19 transmission rates in schools and the guidance and rules set by TEA, PfISD is confident that the best opportunity for most students is to learn in person with their teacher on campus," PfISD wrote.

"However, PfISD also appreciates that some families have health and safety concerns due to COVID-19."

The PfISD said virtual learning will be conducted through a third-party vendor, and participants will not be assigned a home campus or PfISD teacher.

The district said it will pay for the K-12 Virtual Learning Academy with Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds and local funding. According to the district, it will take approximately $2.6 million to fund virtual learning for one year, with ESSER funds covering $1 million and $1.6 million coming from local revenue.

Families that completed a PfISD's K-12 Learning Academy application in May, will receive an email notifying them of their acceptance and a request to confirm participation, the district said.

Parents or guardians must confirm participation by 5 p.m. on August 2. Otherwise, the district said that, due to limited space, it will offer the spot to another student.

If parents or guardians did not express interest in the limited K-12 Virtual Learning Academy in May, and would like to do so now, they are asked to fill out an application by Aug. 6. Applications are available online in English, Spanish and Vietnamese.

All families that submit their applications before August 2, will be notified of the status of their request by August 6. Applications submitted after August 2, will receive notification on a rolling basis, the district said.

When all virtual slots are filled, interested students will be notified and added to the waitlist.

Parents or guardians with questions about the virtual learning program for 2021-22 should reach out to Dr. Rachel Naugle at 512-594-011o or email virtualacademy@pfisd.net.