PARIS, Texas (WBAP/KLIF News) – Amid a heated battle over mask requirements at the local level, a North Texas school district has found a unique loophole in Governor Greg Abbott’s ban on mask mandates.
Paris ISD, about 100 miles northeast of Dallas, is now requiring masks as part of the student dress code.
The district, which has about 4,000 students, posted the updated guidelines on its website on Tuesday.
“The Board of Trustees is concerned about the health and safety of its students and employees. The Board believes the dress code can be used to mitigate health issues, and therefore has amended the PISD dress code to protect our students and employees. The Texas Governor does not have the authority to usurp the Board of Trustees’ exclusive power and duty to govern and oversee the management of the public schools of the district. Nothing in the Governor’s Executive Order 38 states he has suspended Chapter 11 of the Texas Education Code, and therefore the Board has elected to amend its dress code consistent with its statutory authority.”
Governor Abbott continues to receive critical and legal push back after banning mask mandates via an Executive Order last month.
Violations could lead to fines of up to $1,000. Private companies have the right to issue mask mandates.
Fort Worth ISD has joined a lawsuit challenging Abbott’s mask mandate ban.
Dallas, Garland, DeSoto, Lancaster, Cedar Hill, Duncanville, Grand Prairie, Richardson, Mesquite, Irving, Everman and Crowley school districts have all defied the governor’s order and are requiring masks on campus.
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