School District Attempts to Get Around No Mask Mandate

PARIS, TX –– The issue of masks for students returning to school remains a hot-button issue. The Board of Trustees in Paris ISD found a way to temporarily get over Governor Abbott's executive order against mask mandates by making masks part of the dress code.

The school district, located in Lamar County, is home to nearly 4,000 students who will be required to use face masks this school year.

The board released a statement announcing the decision after hosting an emergency meeting.

"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 communicable health issues, and therefore has amended the PISD dress code to protect our students and employees," said the district in a press release.

"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."

According to multiple local media outlets, the trustees approved the change to the dress code 5 to 1.