AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- Austin ISD will consider later this week whether to implement a "mask-optional" protocol, as trustees discuss aligning the district's COVID-19 protocols with new guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control last week.
"We realize that some of you are expecting action regarding this alignment immediately and some of you may be looking for a more cautious approach," district officials said in a release Sunday night.
The meeting is set for 6 p.m. Wednesday evening, at AISD Headquarters at 4000 South IH-35.
For now, the district says, it will continue to enforce its current policy of expecting everyone at district facilities to remain masked.
The district says it's conferring with the City of Austin, Austin Public Health and Travis County to evaluate the updated CDC guidance, what changes AISD may make to its protocol, and how those changes will be communicated.
"We do agree that alignment to the CDC is important," the AISD statement continues. "Thus, we are asking for your patience to plan with us throughout this next week (four school days) as we work to support our most vulnerable families and staff. We want to ensure we provide support for our high-risk students, staff and families before the actual implementation of the new CDC guidelines."