Rural School Districts Balk at Local Covid Mask Mandate

SAN ANGELO, TX –– The decision to use a 'Property Control Order' to implement a mask mandate in Tom Green County School Districts has received immediate and significant pushback from parents and educators.

As we reported earlier, Tom Green County Health Authority Dr. James Vretis issued an order for masks to be worn at any school facility in Tom Green County.

“Due to the continuous rise in COVID cases and its strain on the local hospital system, the Tom Green County Local Health Authority has issued a property control order on any school facility in Tom Green County where there has been a student or staff member who has tested positive for COVID-19. Once there has been a positive case at a school facility, masks will be required for everyone on that campus,” he said in the order.

On Wednesday evening Grape Creek ISD announced the district would maintain masks optional at this time.

"Regardless of how you feel about the use of masks within our Texas school districts, the one commonality among each and every one of us at Grape Creek ISD is the safety and welfare of our students, staff, and community," said Superintendent Angie Smetana. "We reached out to multiple legal experts, school district attorneys, local government leaders, as well as leaders and elected officers at the state level. At this time, Grape Creek ISD will continue to follow Executive Order No. 38 set forth by the Governor of Texas."

Water Valley ISD also announced it would continue with the "current procedures and practices with respect to masks."

"WWISD has had extremely low COVID-19 cases amongst students and staff and currently has a positivity rate of approximately.0049," said Superintendent Fabian Gomez. "The District's practices may be subject to change as uncertainty regarding ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and the legal issues regarding mask mandates, persist."

San Angelo ISD also responded to the property control order in a statement.

"We appreciate your support of the Property Control Order Mask Mandate from the local public health authority for the welfare of our students and our San Angelo community," said SAISD in a statement. "We acknowledge each individual's decision on supporting the public health mandate in the way that is best for them and their child. The mandate issued by the local public health authority applies to children and adults of all ages within educational facilities of Tom Green County where instruction is being delivered."

Wall ISD, Christoval ISD, and Veribest ISD have not made an official announcement at this time regarding their decision to follow the order.