Williamson County held a joint conference with County Judge Bill Gravell and the superintendents from Williamson County schools. They spoke about plans for school closures, and additional services that could be made available during the closure, such as meal services.
This report is intended to give you an overview and highlight of the discussions on the various topics the committee took up. It is not a verbatim transcript of the hearing, but is based upon what was audible or understandable to the observer and the desire to get details out as quickly as possible with few errors or omissions.
Opening Statements
- As of March 17, 2020, Williamson County has no reported cases of COVID-19
- Starting March 23, will provide breakfast or lunch in some form through one of William ISD school districts
Derrick Neal, Williamson County Health Department
- Citizens must practice safe distances; no handshaking
- Asks no public gatherings are held for the next 8 weeks
Dr. Fred Brent, Superintendent Georgetown ISD
- Have a conference call everyday with TEA Commissioner Mike Morath
- Have been coordinating with the county
- Districts have been sharing resources
- Working to ensure students will get credit for alternative instruction; aim to not have make-up days
- Monday, breakfast and lunch will be provided at three different locations
- Information will be found on website concerning specifics
- Chromebooks are being distributed to students in need; have 100 Wi-Fi hotspot locations for community members in need
- Providing continued mental health and counseling services
Dr. Keith Brown, Taylor ISD
- Began providing lunch and breakfast to students to Taylor ISD students on March 16
- Program information can be found on Taylor ISD website
- March 18 twelve mobile feeding sites will begin delivering food to neighborhoods in the city of Taylor
- More information on Taylor ISD website
- DSHS and TEA hosting conference calls with school districts daily
Bill Chapman, Superintendent Jarrell ISD
- Goal is to provide school without physical classes
- Foodservice program will start Monday at an elementary in the district
- Will have three to five meal drop off locations
- Further information can be found on Jarrell ISD’s website
- Team is working to get online/low-tech options for at-home instruction
Dr. Steve Flores, Superintendent Roundrock ISD
- Plans will be on Roundrock ISD’s website March 18
- April 3 re-open date is not concrete
Dr. Bruce Gearing, Superintendent Leander ISD
- Team is working digitally to ensure students are fed and have instructional opportunities
- Closed until April 3, will be reassessed in the following weeks
- Deep clean on facilities will occur and buildings will be shut down
Steve Snell, Superintendent Liberty Hill ISD
- March 23, Liberty Hill Junior High will provide food via a drive-thru service
- Will provide breakfast and lunch at bus stops
- Students will use their ID cards
- Tele-instruction will begin soon
- Working on plans for special education children
Dr. Selena Thomas, Superintendent Hutto ISD
- Buildings are closed, but will continue instruction
- Info will be posted on the website by March 20
- Schools will be closed March 23 – April 3
- Mentions daily calls with Commissioner Morath
- Priorities are feeding kids and online instruction
Dr. Tommy Hooker, Superintendent Thrall ISD
- Information will be on website and Facebook
- Grab and go breakfast/lunch programs currently running
- Praises Region 13 Service Center
- Mentions STARR testing suspension
Bill Gravell, Williamson County Judge
- School districts have provided their school nurses
- School districts have provided their bus mechanics
- School districts (Hutto and Liberty Hill) have provided peace officers
- Will be standing up a daycare for county employees; could school districts provide breakfast and lunches
- Making same requests for city officials
- Effective 12 pm all county tax offices- public portion closed down
- Online resources will be available
Audience Questions
- What are the next steps – possible restaurant closures?
- County is unsure at this time
- If necessary, willing to sign another order
- Will prioritize Walmart, Target, Walgreens and CVS to all stay open
- May have additional guidance from office later today