AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Friday night, the Austin Independent School District Board of Trustees held an emergency meeting to discuss its response to COVID-19.

At the meeting, the board voted to give Superintendent Paul Cruz some power to make several decisions going forward.

But as of yet, AISD will not extend Spring Break further. Students are still scheduled to return to school on March 23.

What the board did approve, however, was a resolution to make sure employees are paid if a suspension of classes does occur later on.

“I know it’s on everyone’s minds. It’s on my mind as well, as a superintendent and as a parent,” Cruz said. “I’m just trying to make sure that we’re being responsive to the different implications for when we actually suspend classes.”

The board’s resolution allows Cruz to:

Make purchases outside the normal contract requirements to ensure schools remain safe and clean

Make necessary technology purchases to provide ongoing learning

Compensate employees who may be affected by the suspension of classes

Apply for waivers regarding instructional minutes and low attendance with the Texas Education Agency

The board said it would continue evaluating the situation and adjusting its response. The next board meeting is set for March 30.