Before the April 5 meeting, the task force will reevaluate issues, such as the mask mandate, desk shields in classrooms and plans for end-of-year events such as prom and graduation. The task force will also evaluate requirements for those already vaccinated.
“We'll be going over new information that's come out since our last meeting,” said Janet McDade, CISD assistant superintendent for student services.
Carroll ISD decided to maintain its current mask mandate and safety guidelines across all campuses during a March 8 meeting, which followed new orders from Gov. Greg Abbott that ended a statewide mask mandate. The Texas Education Agency has allowed school districts to continue current protocols, if so desired.
According to district officials, a total of 393 employees have received their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine after the district held a vaccination clinic for employees on March 12. A second clinic will be held on April 2 to administer the second dose for those employees as well as first doses for some employees who did not previously get a vaccine.
According to the district's COVID-19 task force survey, 16.7% of employees do not plan on getting a vaccine at this time.
While more district employees are expected to be vaccinated, the majority of employees surveyed by the task force stated they want staff and students to continue wearing masks. Out of 797 employees surveyed, 40.4% respondents said the district should maintain the current mask requirement for staff and visiting adults once employees have been vaccinated. Some 25.1% of employees favored providing an optional face mask requirement for staff and visiting adults, according to the survey.
The same question was asked about student mask requirements, and about 41% of employees said they would want mask requirements to remain for students even once employees have been fully vaccinated.
The board of trustees will hear recommendations from the task force on April 5 about any changes to the current coronavirus safety protocols.
