By Matt Dotray from lubbockonline.com
Most Lubbock area school districts have not yet determined how the governor’s new executive order will impact COVID-19 safety protocols inside classrooms.
The Texas Education Agency says beginning Wednesday, March 10, it will be up to individual school districts to determine whether to require face coverings inside classrooms. School districts had been waiting for guidance from TEA, and on Wednesday, the agency updated their public health guidelines to say local school boards have full authority to determine their local mask policy.
TEA’s updated guidance reasserts that face coverings are one of the many steps that can be taken to reduce the risks of COVID-19 spreading among students, teachers and staff, as well as their families.
In recent statements, most Lubbock-area school districts say they will be consulting with local health officials to determine mask policies moving forward.
The Lubbock-Cooper Independent School District was quick to say it will be eliminating its mask policy.
“Lubbock-Cooper ISD will no longer require individuals to wear facial coverings as of Wednesday, March 10,” the district announced Tuesday following Abbott’s COVID-19 news conference in Lubbock. “Students and staff members who wish to continue wearing facial coverings are certainly permitted to do so.”
Other school districts, such as Lubbock and Frenship ISD, say a decision has not been made, and they will consult with local health experts before making any decision.
“Lubbock ISD has worked closely in partnership with our community’s public health leaders through the pandemic and will continue to do so,” reads a statement from LISD. “We will consult with the City of Lubbock Health Department and other officials and make a decision regarding mask procedures after those consultations.”
Frenship sent a message to parents and faculty saying the school district understands many people have questions. Frenship said in the coming days, the school district will work with the health department, local government officials and health experts to develop a plan moving forward.
Shallowater ISD also said their safety protocols are still under discussion.
Katherine Wells, Lubbock’s director of public health, says her recommendation will be for school districts to continue using all the known safety measures, which include wearing face coverings, social distancing and washing hands.
Wells believes schools have been able to open safely because these protocols have been in place. With the virus still in the community, Wells said she hopes these safety measures remain in place — she said these safety measures are important for the students and faculty, as well as the families they come home to.
“I recommend they follow the science,” Wells said. “And even though it won’t be mandatory, it’s still the right way to protect our students, the teachers and all the households they’re going home to after school.”
Wells says her children have been taking in-person classes, and Wells said she’s been comfortable with that because of the policies that have been in place.
Since the school years began in 2020, school districts have discussed the safety measures in place, which include requiring face coverings for children 10-years-old and above. Health officials and city leaders have applauded schools for opening safely during multiple news conferences since the school year began.
“Schools have been very successful, and I don’t want to ruin that this year,” Wells said over the phone Wednesday while she was at the city’s vaccination clinic. “I want to continue to see that success, and I hope that districts and parents choose to do the right thing.”
Conversations about masks have resurfaced since Tuesday when Gov. Greg Abbott, in a visit to Lubbock, announced he was issuing a new executive order that will rescind restrictions on business occupancy and the statewide mask order. The new executive order goes into effect on Wednesday, March 10.
School districts, along with businesses, are now having to determine their own individual mask policy.