Montgomery ISD board weighs virtual learning pilot at Monday meeting
The district has lost roughly 170 students to virtual options in two years, costing state revenue it hopes to recoup.
By Sakura Novak ·
The Montgomery ISD school board will meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday to consider launching a virtual learning pilot program. The vote comes as the district seeks to retain students who have left for online alternatives and to secure associated state funding.
Superintendent Dr. Mark Ruffin told KTRK that the district is evaluating how virtual education would function within its boundaries. He stated that while he has not yet decided whether to recommend approval, virtual learning is a permanent fixture in Texas education. "We're really trying to measure up how virtual learning may look at Montgomery ISD," Ruffin said. "Virtual learning isn't going anywhere; it's not going away."
The district has lost approximately 170 students in the past two years who specifically chose virtual learning options. Each departing student takes with them a portion of the state funding allocated for their education. According to the Texas Education Agency, schools receive $6,215 per student. If the board approves the pilot, 40 percent of that amount would fund the new program, while the remaining 60 percent would stay with the district.
Ruffin noted that the introduction of school vouchers, which provide families with funds for private education, has intensified the need to hold onto the student population. "We kind of live in this new world of public education now, and so our board has done a really good job of always challenging us as leaders to evaluate how we can meet the needs of our students," he said.
The proposed program would initially serve about 30 students in grades 9 through 12. It could launch as early as next academic year. The district plans to use Pearson, a third-party provider from which it already purchases curriculum, to deliver the instruction. Officials said the pilot would allow time to build necessary systems before potentially expanding the offering to all students.
Ruffin emphasized that the district is responsible for educating all children living within its boundaries, not just those currently enrolled. The board’s decision on Monday will determine whether the district proceeds with this new educational pathway for high schoolers.
