The Austin ISD Board of Trustees approved an update to the 2020-21 school year calendar, changing the Oct. 12 student holiday to Election Day, Nov. 3.

To accommodate a student holiday for Election Day, the district moved the professional development day, previously scheduled for Monday, Oct. 12, to Nov. 3, federally recognized Election Day.

This change will not affect the number of instructional days or the daily instructional time for students. A student holiday for Election Day will decrease the number of people on campuses that may potentially be used as voting sites for the general election. It will also encourage a lower capacity for a campus and allow for greater social distancing for voters to assist in limiting the spread of COVID-19.

Election Day in the United States is held on the Tuesday following the first Monday in November. For the 2020 election, it will be Tuesday, Nov. 3. Campuses within AISD have traditionally been used as polling sites on this day, increasing the number of people on and around a campus and limiting the use of the school building by students and staff.

Background

The 2020-21 school calendar was originally approved at the Jan. 27, Regular Board Meeting. On Aug. 6, the Board of Trustees approved a change to the school calendar moving the start and ending dates of the school year and limiting the number of professional development days during the instructional year. The board discussed the latest change to the calendar during the Sept. 14 Board Information Session.