PLANO, Texas — Despite Gov. Greg Abbott’s executive orders banning them and state Attorney General Ken Paxton vowing to sue those in violation, Plano ISD Monday night announced a mask mandate will be enforced on a temporary basis.

What You Need To Know

  • The Plano ISD Board of Trustees on Monday approved a temporary mask mandate

  • Students and staff must wear a mask in classrooms, facilities and on district-provided transportation 

  • Parents have the option to opt their children out via a form that is available until Aug. 25

  • The district says peak COVID-19 numbers have surpassed last year's numbers 

The district’s Board of Trustees Monday approved a mandate that will take effect on Thursday, Aug. 26 and conclude Friday, Sept. 24.

It stipulates masks must be worn in classrooms, inside facilities and on district-provided transportation such as buses.

However, parents can opt their children out of the mask requirement for religious, medical or philosophical reasons. A mask exemption form is available through Wednesday, Aug. 25. 

“All students, teachers, staff members and visitors, including parents and volunteers, will be required to wear masks indoors at all district facilities and on school buses. Students and staff have the option to remove their masks while seated during meals and while outdoors,” a news release from the district states. “Specifically for athletics, performing arts and physical education, masks will be worn consistently except when the mask inhibits a student's full participation in the activity.”

The district said peak COVID-19 numbers have already surpassed those reached in 2020 and that it will continue to consult with Collin County Health Care Services and the Texas Education Agency before amending health protocols.

The district has additionally launched a COVID-19 dashboard that details COVID-19 cases among students and staff that as of this writing is current to Friday, Aug. 20. 

About 6 in 10 Americans say students and teachers should be required to wear face masks while in school, according to a poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Similar shares say teachers and eligible students should also be required to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.