(Seguin) – The Seguin ISD is doing its part to stay ready and prepared as it launches a new school year amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Trustees this week approved a resolution for Emergency Declaration and Action related to all things that might arise along the way.
Seguin ISD Superintendent Matthew Gutierrez says the resolution allows the district to take any immediate action that is needed to minimize impact to students, staff, families and the community.
“We are certainly navigating unchartered territory and looking in very unique times and many of the decisions that we are making would be decisions that a district would make after a disaster declaration after a hurricane and recently, we’ve made some decisions in response to the pandemic and have adopted a similar resolution. This resolution that I’m seeking would give me the authority as the superintendent to be able to make decisions in response to ever changing circumstances with COVID-19. Unfortunately, we meet once a month and there could be possibly decisions that need to be made,” said Gutierrez.
Gutierrez says because several issues could surface at any time, the resolution provides authorization for his administration without it having to wait until the next board meeting. He says this is especially important when it involves the health, safety and welfare of students, staff and their families.
“Whether it’s a financial decision or a school closure decision, a missed day waiver decision, a change to the school calendar – of course, we want to limit any of these decisions — even for some of these decisions, it could be something that is a temporary decision where two, three weeks until we have the opportunity to come together as a board. For example, a decision that is made regarding employee compensation during our school closure and so if a decision like that has to be made, I’d like to have the opportunity to make that decision rather than holding up possible payroll and then coming back and extending it based on the board’s approval,” said Gutierrez.
Of course, Gutierrez says no decision will be made without a full description in advance to members of the board.
“Decisions would certainly not be made in isolation. If a decision had to be made as much advance notice and information would be shared and we would try our best to wait if possible for the next board meeting but some decisions could be temporary until we have the opportunity to come together so the board can make a decision,” said Gutierrez.
Due to the constant changes and dynamics of COVID-19, district officials say they join other districts across the state who have also adopted similar resolutions.
