Hays, Lake Travis cancel school April 8 for solar eclipse
The Hays Consolidated Independent School District announced Thursday it will cancel school on April 8 for the solar eclipse.
HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — The Hays Consolidated Independent School District and Lake Travis ISD announced this week school will be canceled on April 8 for the solar eclipse.
Hays CISD said it decided to cancel at the request of county emergency management officials. Hays CISD sent an email to parents, staff and students Thursday alerting them of the decision.
Lake Travis said "safety and operational concerns" influenced their decision to call off classes for the "once-in-a-lifetime" event, Lake Travis ISD said in a statement on its website.
"Local officials and first responders anticipate a significant influx of visitors for this extraordinary event, straining local infrastructure and resources and potentially impacting school operations," LTISD said.
Similar factors influenced Hays CISD's decision to cancel classes, the district said. Additionally, Hays CISD said if schools were in session April 8 and an emergency at one of the district's campuses happened, response could be delayed. Plus, school buses and student drop-off and pick-up traffic could contribute to road congestion.
"We enjoy a very strong partnership with the men and women in law enforcement and first-response professions who keep us safe," Hays CISD said. "We are happy to help them in this instance by closing school."
Hays and Lake Travis said they have enough minutes already built into the calendar so there will not need to be a makeup day.
Hays CISD already purchased enough eclipse glasses for every student and staff member, and schools will now send those glasses home with students, along with activities and assignments for eclipse day.
"It is our sincere hope that staff, students, and families across Lake Travis ISD will safely witness this celestial phenomenon and create lasting memories together," Lake Travis ISD said.