Dallas Schools Will Require Students, Teachers To Wear Masks

One of the largest public school districts in Texas will require that students, teachers, and others on campus mask up for the start of the school year.

Dallas ISD Superintendent Dr. Michael Hinojosa announced the mask mandate during a Monday (August 9) morning press conference.

“My message to parents is hang with us. We are going to try and do whatever it takes to makes sure you come back to school under our conditions and learn as much as you can because we are behind. Safety is the number one thing,” Hinojosa said. “This is a temporary solution to a situation that has gotten very grave.”

The mask mandate goes into effect on Tuesday, August 10, but most schools do not start until August 16.

The superintendent said he made the decision in the best interest of the district as the number of COVID-19 cases rise throughout DFW. Pediatricians and pediatric hospitals in North Texas say they're being overwhelmed by sick children, Fox 4 reported.

Hinojosa issued the mask mandate in defiance of an executive order from Gov. Greg Abbott that bans school districts from requiring masks. The order comes with an $1,000 penalty, which Hinojosa said he will pay out of his own pocket.

"I'd rather face that consequence of having to pay some money than to get further behind with these students," he said.

So far, Dallas ISD is the only DFW school district that is requiring masks. Fort Worth ISD is "strongly encouraging" students, teachers, and parents to wear masks, CBS DFW reported.