Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN, Texas — (San Antonio, TX) State Senator José Menéndez commends the decision made by local school superintendents to remain closed for an extended week in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19).
He also requests that Texas consider asking for a federal waiver, similar to UTAH, asking for help ensuring the state continue providing food for children who rely on getting meals at schools.Senator José Menéndez released the following statement:
"We are pleased with the leadership of our local school superintendents and commend their direction and action. Their decision to remain closed for an extra week following spring break is helpful given the challenges of combatting the coronavirus (COVID-19). I have visited with several of our school leaders while monitoring their activities, and intend on providing as much help and resources that our state can deliver to protect our school children during these trying times.
"Many of our students rely on their schools for daily meals and we are aware that their parents might be overwhelmed with their children remaining at home. Therefore, I have asked our superintendents to access every one of our state and local community resources to ensure that no child misses a meal since they are not attending school during these mandatory closures.
"Furthermore, it is my recommendation that Texas officials consider asking for a waiver such as that of Utah, which has applied for four federal waivers allowing them to continue serving food to over 200,000 students during school closures resulting from the coronavirus outbreak."
