Eanes ISD will return to 100% in-person learning Aug. 18 for the 2021-22 school year without mandated face masks, Superintendent Tom Leonard said in a July 26 letter to the community.
“A year later, after an incredible amount of resilience, learning, pivoting and yes, successfully operating schools, we plan to begin the 2021-22 school year as we would pre-pandemic,” Leonard wrote.
At this time, he said options for Texas school districts have been significantly limited by an executive order from Gov. Greg Abbott. Issued in May, Executive Order GA-36 prevents government entities, including school districts, from enacting mask mandates. This order pertains to students, staff members, parents and campus visitors. As a result, Leonard said EISD cannot legally require masks or restrict activities on campus such as extracurricular programs, though individuals may continue to wear a mask if desired.
“While the Centers for Disease Control [and Prevention] and American Academy of Pediatrics both recommend individuals 2 years old and older who are not fully vaccinated continue to wear masks indoors, Eanes ISD does not have the legal authority to enforce that requirement,” Leonard wrote.
