Cameron ISD trustees suspend remote learning for district

The Cameron ISD Board of Trustees voted to suspend remote learning for CISD students as of Nov. 30 during a meeting Nov. 9.

Effective Nov. 30, 2020, all students of Cameron ISD will return to their designated campus for in-person, on-campus instruction from their professional teacher. 

CISD Superintendent Kevin Sprinkles said remote learning will remain available for a student who is the subject of a quarantine order issued by a governmental entity or on the recommendation of a healthcare provider. 

Additionally, Cameron ISD will consider, on a case-by-case basis, remote learning for students whose ARD Committee or Section 504 Committee determines that remote learning is necessary to provide the student with a free, appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment. 

Sprinkles said the district will also consider, on a case-by-case basis, remote learning for students who provide documented evidence of other extenuating health circumstances. 

During the meeting campus administrators reported the number of students who were learning remotely.

Enrollment at Ben Milam is 416 and 96 percent of students are face-to-face. 

Cameron Elementary enrollment is 337 and 23 percent are remote students. 

Cameron Junior High enrollment is 397 and 4.3 percent are remote students.

Yoe High Principal Brian Stork said the high school had 108 kids remote the first six weeks and has 59 kids the second six weeks.

Stork said a high percentage of those remote learners are failing classes. Seventy-six percent of Yoe High’s remote population have incomplete or failing grades at the moment.

The state requires a 14-day notice of returning to face-to-face learning, so the district will return to face-to-face after the Thanksgiving break.

“I feel like as we have seen across the state remote learners struggle for whatever reason,” Board President Jason Dohnalik said. “We feel that the most qualified place for those kids to be is with those professionals teaching them. I think this is a great move for our students. We have protocols in place to keep the students safe.”

The board voted unanimously to suspend remote learning.

“Cameron ISD remains fully committed to the health and safety protocols as outlined in the school district’s back-to-school plan that was implemented as the beginning of the 2020-2021 school year,” Sprinkles said. “All employees and students are expected to continue to follow those guidelines to ensure that all campuses of Cameron ISD remain as healthy as possible.” 

If you have any questions, then please contact the Office of the Superintendent at (254) 697-3512.