Dallas schools to demand masks in defiance of Governor Abbott’s order

Starting Tuesday, the Dallas ISD will require students and teachers to wear masks on its campuses, defying Gov. Greg Abbott’s order that bans districts from issuing mask warrants.

Superintendent Michael Hinojosa announced the change at a press conference Monday morning, saying it was at his discretion to ensure the health and safety of his employees and students in the district.

“We are in a situation which has become much more urgent,” Hinojosa said.

Dallas is the first district in the state to flout the governor’s order; Houston, the state’s largest district, is considering such a move. Its new superintendent, Millard House II, announced last week that he would bring a mask tenure to the Houston directors at their next board meeting on August 12.

School officials say it is necessary in the face of the highly contagious delta variant. Younger students remain ineligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.

In a statement, Ben Mackey, chairman of the Dallas board of directors, said he fully supports Hinojosa’s position.

“The superintendent is the chief education officer and general manager of our school district responsible for the day-to-day operations of the district, which includes the implementation of security protocols,” Mackey said. “Requiring masks for staff and students on district property is reasonable and necessary security protocol to protect against the spread of COVID-19 and the new delta variant.

“Towards the end of last school year, we saw very low transmission rates on campuses, in part due to the constant wearing of masks by educators and students. “

Abbott’s executive order, issued in May, prohibits public schools and the Texas Education Agency from issuing requirements on mask use. Those who defy Abbott’s order could face a fine of up to $ 1,000. It is not known how such a penalty could be applied to school districts.

Asked about a possible fine, Hinojosa replied: “Who knows?

“This is all going to play out, and we won’t be the only ones taking this step,” Hinojosa said.

The number of COVID-19 patients hospitalized in North Texas surpassed last summer’s peak, before vaccines became available, according to the Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council. Most patients are not vaccinated.

Dallas County has also increased its COVID-19 threat level to red, which means there is a high risk of community transmission. In explaining the change, County Judge Clay Jenkins noted the increase in cases among children.

Jenkins is wrapped up in a single-handed fight over the Mask Mandates. He needed masks at a recent Dallas County Commissioners Court meeting, but Commissioner JJ Koch refused to wear one. Jenkins had it removed. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said on Friday Jenkins’ actions violated the governor’s executive order.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – while supporting a return to in-person learning – recommends that everyone inside schools wear a mask, regardless of immunization status. Children under 12 are not yet eligible for shooting. Hinojosa said he would soon announce an incentive plan to encourage vaccinations.

DISD’s change comes as parents and teachers pleaded with Abbott to allow local officials to determine what’s best for their own communities, arguing that masks are among the strongest protections against the spread of COVID-19 .

Some Dallas students are already back in school, but the majority of the kids are coming back on August 16.

Garland ISD, which resumed classes on August 2, reports 221 cases of active students on its district COVID tracker as of Monday, 0.4% of its 55,000 students. According to the tracker, five of the district’s high schools – Garland, Lakeview Centennial, Naaman Forest, North Garland and Sachse – have reported double-digit cases, and there has been at least one case on 56 of the district’s 71 campuses.

Over the weekend, the Garland ISD Health Services Department sent letters advising parents of a possible exposure on these campuses and informed those in close contact of a laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 case. to begin a period of quarantine.

Forty-one schools in Dallas began Monday as part of an effort to extend the school year and make up for lost class time during the pandemic. At their morning assembly, most – but not all – of the students at Adelle Turner Elementary School wore masks.

Bernard Carter wore a face cover to drop off his 9-year-old son on his first day. The family spent time talking in advance about ‘what to do and what not to do’. At the top of the list: wear your mask.

“There are a lot of children who are not old enough to be vaccinated,” Carter said. “People always take it seriously here. “

The DMN Education Lab deepens coverage and conversation on pressing education issues critical to the future of North Texas.

The DMN Education Lab is a community-funded journalism initiative, with support from The Beck Group, Bobby and Lottye Lyle, Communities Foundation of Texas, The Dallas Foundation, Dallas Regional Chamber, Deedie Rose, The Meadows Foundation, Solutions Journalism Network , Southern Methodist University and Todd A. Williams Family Foundation. The Dallas Morning News retains full editorial control of Education Lab journalism.