Staff reports

Taking advantage of Gov. Greg Abbott’s temporary restrictions on open meetings laws, the Dripping Springs ISD turned to videoconferencing for the March 23 workshop and regular meeting of the board of trustees.

Board members participated remotely, and members of the public were able to watch via a You Tube link at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2XkULR5PqM&feature=youtu.be.

As of Sunday, the district’s teachers were developing online instructional guidelines. Already, the district had determined that the primary resource for students in grades K-3 will be in the form of paper/pdf files  and that they will also be able to access enrichment resources on their Classlink accounts.

For students in grades 4-12 the plan is to use an online format using Canvas. “Teachers will be reaching out to students beginning Wednesday, March 25 with directions/next steps,” the DISID said in a Sunday message.

Concerning technology, the district said it ran an online survey asking parents “what technology/resources they had/would need for online learning,” and that the survey drew “more than 2,900 responses representing more than 5,200 students.”

Some 600 devices were requested as a result of the survey.

In addition, the Tech team is working on potential solutions for hot spot/internet connection issues,” the district said.

While instruction has moved online, the district will still be providing free and reduced-price breakfasts and lunches in part through the “Tiger Totes” program.