ECISD Superintendent Scott Muri on Wednesday expressed concern about continuing to operate safely as COVID-19 continues to rage in Ector County.
Significant case increases have been seen in adults and children.
“An example of that is last Friday between the first day of school for staff, which was Aug. 4, and last Friday the 13th we had 59 total cases in ECISD. That’s students and staff,” Muri said. “But on Monday, in one day alone, we had 55 cases in one day. Yesterday (Aug. 17), we were at 50 cases between students and staff.”
“Today, our numbers are escalating, so the concern is real, we’re seeing it in elementary and middle school and high school and we must do everything we can to keep our kids and adults safe,” Muri added.
Muri urged those that are eligible to get a COVID vaccine to keep themselves and others around them safe.
Asked about substitute teachers, Muri said ECISD started the year with a healthy pool.
“However, our substitutes are becoming just as nervous as our staff members about entering an environment that has COVID, so we’re not filling as many vacancies as we would like to fill because simply our substitutes are a bit more nervous today than they were literally two weeks ago,” Muri said.
He added that the district is not concerned with having to close the system down for months.
“The concern is having to close individual schools for short periods of time, and yes that means that kids are at home, unable to have the high-quality learning experience they would have in school. That is an absolute concern of ours. First, however, is the safety of our kids and staff members. Their medical safety and their health, that’s primary. But if we do have to close a facility, our secondary concern is the learning of our children. We know it would be impacted if they’re not in school,” Muri said.
He added that the district has been working for the past couple of weeks with members of the legislature to support a piece of legislation that would fully fund virtual learning in Texas.
Muri said it has support from the House and Senate — Democrats and Republicans — “so that’s the good news.”
“But we have to get that bill across the finish line and we’re actively engaged in the development of that piece of legislation,” Muri added.
“Right now we’re trying to find people to work in that environment. We haven’t been able to stand that up yet, but we will in the coming weeks have that opportunity available for kids,” Muri said.
Asked whether COVID could fit under homebound instruction, Muri said a homebound student is one who is physically and/or medically bound to their home.
“COVID is not that kind of illness, so they don’t qualify for homebound instruction unless COVID turns into something that is much more serious,” Muri said.
Director of Communications Mike Adkins said if you want to come back before the 10-day quarantine period is over, you have to have a negative COVID test and be fever free for 24 hours.
For more information, Muri urged people to visit the ECISD website.
