By LYNETTE HAALAND, Four Points News

The Leander ISD Board of Trustees approved a permanent, online-only high school program in February to start next school year but this week the district stated that it now expects all students to be in-person for 2021-22. 

“The Virtual Learning Academy is a no-go for next year due to insufficient student interest,” said Matt Mitchell, LISD spokesperson. 

Initially the program was to be limited to LISD 9th and 10th graders and have a total of 300 students.

But LISD hosted an informational night for families and sent a form to students to gauge interest in a virtual academy offered through New Hope High School for 9th- and 10th-grade students. 

“We did not receive enough student interest to create the program in 2021–22,” Mitchell said on April 6.

He also stated the Texas Education Agency has not allowed a virtual learning waiver for next school year.

“TEA granted districts a one-year waiver to allow virtual learning during the 2020–21 school year, but has not extended that waiver for 2021–22,” Mitchell stated. “While we support legislation to support local efforts to create virtual school options beyond the 2020–21 school year, based on the guidance and rules set by TEA, we currently expect all students to be in-person for school next year.”