Mask update

0822022 Mask Mandate Update: Masks Now Optional Pending Dallas County Monitoring Levels
Posted on 08/22/2022
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DeSoto Independent School District opened the 2022-2023 school year under a continuation of the district’s mask mandate which was enacted following the DeSoto ISD Board of Trustees' approval of a resolution to request local education authorities’ ability to make decisions in the best interest of the district in August 2021. In addition to that resolution, the Board entered into a lawsuit seeking that authority, which they won granting the district the ability to enforce the use of masks.


Given rising COVID cases in Dallas County as the DeSoto ISD required all persons to wear a mask when frequenting district campuses, offices, and facilities during the first week of school which began on Aug. 15, 2022.


During the August 22, 2022, regular meeting of the DeSoto ISD Board of Trustees, district administrators presented an update regarding mask enforcement to the Board of Trustees to request authorization for the superintendent to adjust the enforcement of masks as needed, extending the superintendent the ability to enforce the wearing of masks in DeSoto ISD in the event Dallas County’s COVID monitoring escalates to RED.


The District’s adherence to the mandate is in accordance with the intent with which it was developed--as a proactive protective measure in the DeSoto ISD school community.


“Majority minority communities are most deeply impacted by matters of health, wellness, access, and income,” DeSoto ISD Superintendent Dr. Usamah Rodgers said. “Given that Dallas County is currently on an Orange alert, and COVID cases continue to rise, the district’s stance on masks as a protection to our students, staff members, and families is a proactive approach to community wellness.”


The DeSoto ISD Dress Code lists masks and face coverings as strongly recommended and provides families the flexibility to personally determine the use of masks.