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Odessa R-VII board endorses AMI plan to limit instructional disruption from severe weather
Summary
The Odessa R‑VII School Board reviewed and affirmed an Alternative Methods of Instruction (AMI) plan to use up to five advance‑called remote instruction days per state rules, outlining K–5 paper packets, grades 6–12 Google Classroom assignments, teacher availability and attendance rules.
The Odessa R‑VII School Board on its February agenda confirmed a district AMI (alternative methods of instruction) plan to be used when staff predict an imminent weather closure, officials said.
Under the district plan explained to the board, elementary (K–5) students would receive 60–90 minutes of work in ELA, math, writing/fine motor practice and specials via paper packets sent home in advance, while grades 6–12 would receive assignments through Google Classroom on district devices. Teachers would post assignments and be available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for questions, and the district will provide hot spots or printed copies when families lack internet access, staff said. Attendance for an AMI day will be recorded when the student returns completed work on the next in‑person day or otherwise completes the assigned work within a reasonable grace period.
"If we knew well in advance that we would not be able to learn in person, this is an option that allows us to continue student learning as if they were here in school," the AMI presenter told the board. The presenter emphasized the district would avoid assigning new content during AMI and would use the days for review and practice, especially for younger learners.
Board members pressed staff on equity and logistics — how families without internet would be supported, how teachers would respond to student needs during the AMI window, and whether the district could apply AMI to only part of the district. Staff said the district would not split the system for AMI because that could create household inequities, and confirmed teachers would be expected to reply to family communications within about an hour during posted hours.
State rules limit AMI use to 36 hours (the board was told), the presenter said, meaning the district could use up to five AMI days under current law. Staff recommended the district attempt an AMI implementation on an advance‑called closure if needed, and committed to additional building‑level training and family communication during a professional development day this week.
The board did not take a separate recorded roll call on AMI at the meeting; staff said the application authority had already been approved and the district will implement AMI the next time an inclement weather situation is known in advance.
What’s next: Staff will visit each building to answer operational questions for teachers and families and produce communication materials before AMI use.
