DeSoto ISD will comply with Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins’ order requiring masks are worn by district staff and students to combat the spread of COVID-19, officials announced Monday evening via social media.
The district’s Board of Trustees “approved its authority to make local decisions regarding the health and safety of district students and staff,” and will abide by the judge’s order requiring masks in public, schools and businesses.
“Your personal freedom is important to me and to you, but your personal freedom doesn’t come to harming your neighbors,” Jenkins said last week. “I’m hopeful that we will turn the tide somewhat with these orders.”
The Texas Supreme Court temporarily restricted Jenkins’ ability to enforce a mask mandate in schools and businesses, allowing Gov. Greg Abbott’s executive order banning local leaders from implementing such mandates to stand.
However, Jenkins did not see it that way.
The Tex Supreme Court did not strike down my face mask order. Rather they removed the stay on the GA 38. Unless I receive a ruling requiring otherwise, I will amend my order to remove the possibility of fines on non-compliant businesses but otherwise leave the order in effect.
— Clay Jenkins (@JudgeClayJ) August 16, 2021
In its statement affirming their decision to follow Jenkins’ order, DeSoto ISD trustees said it “recognizes that COVID-19 and its variants are an unforeseen and unavoidable emergency of urgent public necessity, which requires district officials to make decisions quickly to ensure the safety of its students and employees.
“As a result, DeSoto ISD will comply with Dallas County’s recent order which requires public schools to implement a mask mandate,” the district said.
The district said it will also consider joining in legal action with other districts should its decision to comply with Jenkins’ order is threatened.
