Lockhart ISD suspends school operations

LPR staff report

Lockhart ISD Superintendent Mark Estrada announced on Monday the district would be suspending normal school operations beyond spring break at least through April 3.
“At this time, we are unsure when normal operations will resume, and we encourage parents to begin thinking of long-term plans in the event we are closed for an extended period of time beyond April 3,” said Estrada. “There will be no instruction during this closure; however, we are working on plans for instruction should the closure extend beyond this date.”
Estrada noted that Grab & Go curbside pick-up meals will still be available during the weeks of March 23-27 and March 30 through April 3. Each campus will have child nutrition staff waiting outside with a Grab & Go curbside pickup breakfast from 7:30-8:30 a.m.
Each campus will also have Grab & Go curbside hot lunch pickup from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Parents will need to drive up to the pickup site, and staff will hand them their meals through the car window.
Estrada added the district will send maps for food pickup sites in an email later this week.
Residents who don’t drive and need to walk to pick up the meal will be allowed to walk to distribution sites to pick them up.
Estrada noted residents living in more rural areas will still have access to meals.
“If you are unable to pick up meals curbside at your child’s campus, our school buses will be driving routes to drop off food between 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. during any school day we are closed,” said Estrada, noting additional information about bus routes and drop-off times would be released soon.
All Lockhart school district staff members will be paid during the time of the school closure, Estrada said. Nonexempt employees (hourly time clock employees) will be paid for their regular hours even though they are not required to be at work. If they are required to work, they will be paid additionally for the hours that they do work.
In addition, the University Interscholastic League (UIL) – which governs athletic, musical and academic contests for public primary and secondary schools in the state of Texas – suspended all sanctioned contests through March 29, postponing the high school soccer playoffs and one-act competition, among others.