TASA Midwinter is coming, and you don't want to miss this. Please join us for our Texas School Coalition Membership Gathering on Monday, January 31, at 2:15 p.m. We will meet in Waller Salon A of the Austin Marriott Downtown to enjoy some refreshments and a brief update, as well as unveil some new resources we've prepared for districts to use with members of your community. We hope you will include us in your plans for the conference and join us.
New year, same old
2022 started in a manner none of us would define as "new" as schools continue to battle the same challenges that we fought in 2021. The best thing many of us can say about 2022 so far is that at least the Texas Legislature isn't in session...

Schools are struggling with extraordinarily low attendance rates among both students and staff and facing some difficult decisions. Many of you have asked the question about whether a hold harmless or some type of adjustment may be available to help schools weather this most recent crisis. To that, Education Commissioner Mike Morath says:
TEA updated the SY 2021-2022 Waivers FAQ to read:

LEAs have reported to TEA that attendance rate declines continue to occur due to COVID during the spring semester. As a result, the agency is exploring options to ensure school systems will not experience significant financial difficulties and the agency has temporarily closed the low attendance waiver. Please expect more on this at a future date.

Commissioner Morath emphasized that the Agency is exploring what options are available, and he explained that low attendance waivers are temporarily unavailable as they look for a more comprehensive solution. He also emphasized that he "can't promise anything." So that leaves all of us:
Thank you to our annual sponsors!
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