ROUND ROCK, Texas (Talk1370.com) -- A Williamson County district court judge has issued a temporary restraining order blocking Round Rock ISD from enforcing a mask mandate for its students and staff.
Attorney General Ken Paxton announced a lawsuit against the district last week, saying the district's efforts to enforce its mask mandate were in violation of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's executive order GA-38, which blocks local governmental entities from issuing mask mandates.
Round Rock ISD officials said Thursday evening that they hadn't been notified of the request by the AG's office, nor were district attorneys given an opportunity to oppose the issuance of the restraining order in any court proceeding.
"Round Rock ISD will comply with any lawfully issued court order," a statement from the district reads. "We will also use all proper and available legal proceedings to challenge this order and vigorously defend its long-established lawful authority to provide a safe and healthy learning environment for Round Rock ISD students and staff, including during this pandemic. The District continues to strongly encourage and recommend the use of masks in accordance with guidance from our local health authorities."
Round Rock's current mask mandate is set to expire Friday; the district's Board of Trustees was scheduled to discuss and potentially vote on extending the mandate earlier this week. However, that meeting was cut short after parents and even some board members expressed frustration at seating limits placed on the meeting by district administrators.
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The mask mandate issue will now be addressed at a specially called meeting set for Wednesday; in the meantime, district officials are asking the community to continue to abide by the mask requirement.
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