The Judson ISD Board of Trustees on Nov. 18 voted to remove the temporary mask mandate that was ordered on Aug. 19.
The mandate was ordered earlier this fall as COVID-19 numbers in the district increased, reaching around 217 student cases during the week of Aug. 23.
As cases are now decreasing, with an average of 30 cases per week for students and 28 per week for employees, Superintendent Jeanette Ball requested that the Board remove the mandate.
“Since Aug. 19, the district has been following the mandate as closely as possible,” Ball said. “Every week, we report our numbers for our students and our adults. At this time, I am asking to do away with the mandatory mandate for the mask and for us to highly recommend it but not to make it mandated.”
The board voted to lift the mandate, but it gave Ball the authority to put the mandate back in place if it was in the best interest of students due to another rise in COVID cases. The mandate is lifted effective immediately.
Ball also stated that the COVID-19 vaccination would be offered at Judson ISD elementary campuses for those that wish to get the shot.
Vaccinations will be offered from Nov. 30 through Dec. 9 and will be free for students. Parents interested in having their children vaccinated will need to fill out a consent form, which should be sent home with students and available on the district website.
