In a statement released March 2, Round Rock ISD officials confirmed the district "has no plans to change the mask requirement" currently implemented in district campuses and facilities.
RRISD officials said Williamson County and Cities Health District and Austin Public Health leaders have continued their recommendations for mask usage and social distancing.
"In Round Rock ISD, we are optimistic, as vaccine administrations increase, that a return to normalcy is on the horizon," the statement read. "We will do everything we can to keep our staff, students, their families, and our community, healthy and safe in the meantime and do our part to end the pandemic."
ORIGINAL POST
Following Gov. Greg Abbott's March 2 announcement that the state's mask mandate will lift March 10, area school districts have chimed in as to how academic operations will continue. In addition to the mandate removal, Abbott said businesses will be able to operate at 100% capacity.
Pflugerville ISD Superintendent Douglas Killian said in a statement March 2 the district will not be adjusting its mask requirements. He said mask wearing is a central safety precaution advised by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as Austin Public Health.
Killian said that school district staff have yet to be prioritized in the Phase 1A and 1B COVID-19 vaccination groups, and the reversal of a districtwide mask mandate would not be "a wise decision or protective of our staff."
The district's mandate will remain in place for the duration of the school year, the statement confirmed.
"Please stay vigilant even as we hopefully are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel," Killian said in the statement. "Spring break is right around the corner. Please be safe and help your fellow staff and students."
Hutto ISD officials said that until further guidance is made available and analyzed, the district will continue with current safety measures in place. An update will be provided following guidance issued by the Texas Education Agency, according to the statement.
"We understand this is a topic very personal to individuals," the statement said. "This posting is not a forum to begin debating the merits of masks."
As of 4:45 p.m. March 2, a statement had not been released on Round Rock ISD's website, Facebook page or Twitter feed. Community Impact Newspaper reached out to the district and will update this story as soon as more information is made available.
