Texas sues 6 school districts that defied governor’s order and imposed mask requirements

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced Friday that he is suing at least six districts that have defied Gov. Greg Abbott’s order banning mask warrants in public schools.

Paxton said the school systems in Elgin, Galveston, Richardson, Round Rock, Sherman and Spring are among those that do not follow the law, adding that an ongoing list of those that do not comply will be updated with maybe more districts that could face the state’s legal wrath. The attorney general also said earlier this summer that the legislature could vote to cut funding for districts that defy the governor’s order.

“The attorney general’s office anticipates filing additional lawsuits if school districts and other government entities continue to defy state law,” Paxton’s office said in a statement.

Abbott issued an executive order in May that banned mask mandates at state-funded institutions, including public schools, community colleges and state universities.

“We are past the time of government mandates, we are in the time of personal responsibility,” Abbott said in July, explaining the state’s position.

Many institutions have defied the ban, arguing that the masks are needed to slow the pace of the pandemic as the fourth wave caused by the delta variant continues to spread.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the use of masks in indoor public spaces for unvaccinated Americans 2 years of age and older. Covid-19 vaccines have not yet been approved for children under 12. But the CDC says even those who are vaccinated should wear masks in indoor public spaces in areas with high Covid-19 transmission.

The city of Austin, the capital of Texas, has issued rules requiring masks in public schools, colleges, universities and in city buildings. And in August, a Travis County judge temporarily overturned Gov. Greg Abbott’s order regarding public schools and other institutions in the area. Travis understands Austin and its surroundings.

Jodi Duron, superintendent of the Elgin Independent School District outside of Austin, said she could not comment on Paxton’s lawsuit because the district had not received a copy. But she said via email that the district “continues to comply with Travis County Judge Andy Brown’s order requiring Travis County schools to implement a mask warrant for all people over the age of. 2 years when they are on school property and on district buses “.

President Joe Biden, in a public address Thursday, targeted Texas and other Republican-led states for what he called the pandemic response “undermining you.”

“Right now, local school officials are trying to protect children from a pandemic while their governor fights with them and even threatens their salaries or jobs,” he said. “Talk about bullying in schools. If they don’t help you – if these governors don’t help us beat the pandemic, I’ll use my power as president to sideline them. “

Biden pledged to replace state funding with federal funding for teachers and civil servants who “do the right thing” if their salaries are cut by state leaders for mask mandates and other measures in the event of a pandemic. And he said the education ministry was taking legal action against states “undermining the protection that local school officials ordered.”

“I promise I will support you,” he said.

In announcing the lawsuits against the six districts, Paxton seemed equally firm.

Superintendents across Texas not only openly violate state law, but they are using district resources – which should be used for teacher merit increases or other educational benefits – to defend their illegal political maneuvers. “he said in his statement.

“I have no doubt that the courts will side with the law – not acts of political defiance,” Paxton said.

Amy calvin contributed.