UPDATE (8/17): The LCISD board workshop tonight finally provided some insight into what the district is considering for its virtual learning option for the fall. Virtual learning will be limited to those in K-6th grade for one semester. It will be limited to around either 3,000 or 4,000 students. (A final determination on that will be made at this Thursday's board meeting.) Students will have to meet certain criteria to be accepted. Teachers who teach these virtual classes will only teach virtual, and not in-person as well. The virtual option would not begin Aug. 23, as the first in-person day begins. It would begin sometime in September, date still to be announced. Once the board votes on Thursday, parents will be sent information this Friday about applying for the virtual learning option. If you're interested, the board meeting is on YouTube. Discussion of virtual learning begins around the 1 hr and 17 min mark. Thanks again to everyone who has signed this petition.

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UPDATE (8/5): At the Aug. 5 board workshop, LCISD officials announced they are researching virtual learning options and they appear ready to offer one for a limited number of LCISD students this school year. It's not yet known how many students will be allowed to do this or which grades. The official on Thursday said, "It won't be open to every single family." So it remains unclear to whom it will be offered. But at the very least, it is being discussed. Hopefully, we will learn more details of this option at the Aug. 17 board workshop. Thanks to all for signing. Together, we can make our voices heard.

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As the more dangerous delta variant of COVID-19 fuels a surge in Texas, concerned parents in Lamar Consolidated ISD are extremely worried for their unvaccinated children this school year, which is mere weeks away. As Gov. Greg Abbott has banned any attempts at mask mandates, districts are not even allowed to require masks of students and staff. This is the height of irresponsibility on the part of the state as the pandemic continues.

Because the Texas Legislature and TEA did not authorize a virtual learning option, we call on Lamar Consolidated ISD to use its ESSER funds and local funding to provide a virtual learning option for the 2021-2022 school year. A virtual learning option is of vital importance to medically fragile children, as well as families who fear bringing home this more dangerous variant to elderly relatives. Indeed, it is of vital importance to nearly any parent who fears for their child's health at this very risky time. Forcing all children in this area who want their education from their district, LCISD, to return in person right now defies common sense. As the state has failed, the district must step up and provide this much-needed virtual learning option once again.

We -- the concerned parents of LCISD -- call on the LCISD school board, the superintendent, and those in the administration to immediately allocate the necessary funds and develop a virtual learning option for the 2021-2022 school year, available in particular to those in elementary grades, who cannot yet be vaccinated against this dangerous virus.