Mineola schools plan to resume classes Thursday, Aug. 13, which means teachers will be returning in less than two weeks, Aug. 3.

The Mineola School Board made several decisions impacting the restart Monday night and heard updates on those plans.

The board voted that students who choose the virtual route rather than return to in-person classes will not be able to participate in UIL and extracurricular activities.

As Superintendent Cody Mize explained, this has been a hot topic for schools.

Districts had hoped to receive further guidance from the University Interscholastic League, which met on Monday, but had not provided more details as of Monday night.

He said the students who choose virtual learning are making a health care choice – it is not a preference.

“Why would they feel it was safe to participate in extracurricular activities,“ he said.

The commitment for virtual versus in-person learning will be made for each nine-week period, he said.

Mize added that there are also some career and technical education courses, such as auto mechanics, which require in-person attendance.

The school board also joined districts around the state in opposing the Texas Education Agency plan to resume state testing and school accountability for the 2020-21 school year.

“Of all the things to put on the burner first,” Board President John Abbott said after reading the approved resolution.

Copies will be sent to State Rep. Cole Hefner, State Sen. Bryan Hughes and Gov. Greg Abbott.

Mize outlined a busy week that began Tuesday with a roundtable for employees and a virtual town hall that night to share more details about school reopening for parents.

Then online signup for the fall began on Wednesday morning.

Thursday night the district will host another online meeting to discuss proposals to remodel and expand the high school band facilities.

In his financial report, Business Manager William Bjork said the district has set aside $5 million of its $7.5 million fund balance for projects.

Given the likelihood of reduced funding in the next state budget cycle, Bjork said he would be comfortable pledging $500,000 to $3 million for projects.

Lower return on investments, more delinquent taxes and unknown impacts on attendance could also reduce district funds.

Trustee Jill Quiambao suggested the district look to boost substitute teacher pay to be competitive with surrounding districts should substitutes become in-demand due to COVID-19 related absences.

Bjork said he would be budgeting expenses related to the pandemic separately to be funded through federal grants.

Mize said the district is filming commercials to share more information with parents about creating a healthy learning environment.

After hearing presentations from Christus Trinity Mother Frances and UT Health East Texas, the board chose to stay with Christus for athletic training and additional services.

Mize announced the addition of four new staff members. He noted that former elementary principal Stacy Morris had resigned to accept a position with the Region Seven Education Service Center.