Good evening, Lubbock ISD families,

Thank you for your feedback on our ThoughtExchange survey concerning Lubbock ISD’s proposal to implement three planning days for teachers during the spring semester. The rigor of designing face-to-face, asynchronous, and synchronous learning is intense and our educators are also having to cover classes for colleagues who are ill or quarantined due to a serious shortage of substitutes. There is little to no time for planning, so Lubbock ISD trustees and administrators have developed this plan to maximize instruction and elevate teacher effectiveness.

A vast majority of our survey respondents have a favorable view of these Friday planning days to allow teachers the opportunity to recover planning time and to ensure student success. We certainly understand and appreciate that your most prevalent concern is childcare. We are hopeful that with this abundance of advanced notice, you’ll be able to arrange childcare needs for the three Fridays that will be taken as student holidays. We are also working with our Y-Care partner to alleviate this concern for our elementary families.

During the spring semester, Lubbock ISD will take January 29, February 12, and April 23 as student holidays/teacher planning/work days. Teachers will work at their schools on these Fridays, with planning as their only duty. We have minutes banked to meet Texas Education Agency student attendance requirements and still have a reserve for two snow days. 

We want to support you, your student, and our teachers in every way possible as we endure the pandemic. Thank you for all you are doing to nurture, develop and inspire every child, every day.

Dr. Kathy Rollo 
Superintendent, Lubbock ISD