RICHARDSON (WBAP/KLIF News) – The battle over whether school districts in Texas can implement mask mandates continues to heat up.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit on Friday against Richardson ISD and five other districts over their requirements, which are in defiance of Governor Greg Abbott’s ban on mask mandates.
The district imposed the mandate last week after a COVID-19 outbreak forced the closure of Brentwood Elementary School and after a sixth grader was admitted to the ICU.
RISD is part of a lawsuit against Governor Abbott, that argues that he’s exceeding his authority by not allowing local leaders to make decisions on mask mandates.
Sherman, Round Rock, Galveston, Elgin and Spring ISDs are also named in Paxton’s lawsuit.
In a statement, Paxton said he’ll continue to take school districts to court over the issue.
“Not only are superintendents across Texas openly violating state law, but they are using district resources-that ought to be used for teacher merit raises or other educational benefits-to defend their unlawful political maneuvering. If districts choose to spend their money on legal fees, they must do so knowing that my office is ready and willing to litigate these cases. I have full confidence that the courts will side with the law-not acts of political defiance,” said Paxton.
So far, more than 75 districts have implemented mask mandates in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19 among their students and staff.
The Texas Education Agency said it’s not enforcing Governor Abbott’s ban due to the ongoing legal challenges surrounding mask mandates.
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