Pflugerville ISD To Resume In-Person Classes Despite Stage 5

PFLUGERVILLE, TX — Pflugerville ISD still plans to resume in-person classes after the holiday break despite the city's move into the highest alert level alerting to the coronavirus spread in the community, officials said Wednesday.

Citing rising rates of hospitalizations and cases of the respiratory illness, Austin Public Health officials moved the region to the red-colored alert that triggered more rigorous restrictions on behavior — particularly limiting gatherings to no more than 10 people, 2 for the elderly and those with compromised immune systems.

"As things stand now, Pflugerville ISD still plans to resume classes in-person on Jan. 6, 2021, as scheduled for all students who chose in-person instruction for the third nine weeks," Pflugerville ISD Superintendent Douglas Killian wrote in a letter to parents and guardians. "We will update you should this change."

Related story: Pflugerville ISD To Resume In-Person Classes Despite Stage 5

The school district had planned to shorten quarantine times following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Austin Public Health. But in light of the Stage 5 elevation, Pflugerville ISD now will continue to require a 14-day quarantine period for anyone who is deemed a direct contact to a positive COVID-19 case until Austin-Travis County is once again in Stage 4, the superintendent added.

In an effort to slow the community spread, effective immediately Pflugerville ISD will temporarily suspend all sub-varsity extracurricular, co-curricular, and athletics through the remainder of the Winter Break, the superintendent wrote. Varsity athletic events will continue as scheduled with no spectators permitted, he added, noting that the district will cease all playoff athletic events scheduled at The Pfield for the remainder of the break.

"We will continue to evaluate other measures to take and provide additional communication to families before returning on Jan. 6," Killan wrote. "Enjoy the remainder of your Winter Break, and please remember to physically distance, wear your mask, and wash your hands."