Eanes ISD Parent Ripped Mask Off Teacher: Superintendent Says

Austin TX

18 August, 2021

4:00 PM

Description

AUSTIN, TX — An Eanes ISD parent is accused of physically assaulting a teacher during a meet-and-greet event with parents ahead of the school year. Superintendent Dr. Tom Leonard confirmed the incident in a letter to parents and staff Tuesday afternoon. "A parent physically assaulted a teacher by ripping a mask off her face, others yelling at a teacher to take off her mask because they could not understand what the teacher was saying while her face was covered," the letter said. "...While many may not agree on the particulars (i.e., masks or no masks), we all want students to be safe and we all should treat each other respectfully." The school district, which serves the West Lake area of Austin, said it is following the current Travis County order, which is in effect and will remain so unless a higher court overturns it. The letter came a day before Eanes ISD students returned to in-person learning on Wednesday. In anticipation of a Temporary Restraining Order to block Gov. Abbott's Order prohibiting mask mandates in school, masks will be required for students, staff and visitors in Eanes ISD, in accordance with the current Travis County order. Full message: https://t.co/UMnLh6R7ri— Eanes ISD (@EanesISD) August 15, 2021 Leonard said the Eanes ISD will not make staff the "mask police" with no authority to enforce the rule since the county order states a district has no legal method to enforce the wearing of masks. "No matter where the laws ultimately land, for the good of the community during this stage of the pandemic, we will follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), which 'recommends universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to K-12 schools, regardless of vaccination status,' " the letter said. Leonard said the district's principals report the vast majority of the students and staff inside its buildings, especially at the elementary level, are wearing masks. "Mandate or no mandate, law or no law, governor or no governor, county judge or no county judge, superintendent or no superintendent - children and adults in our schools are doing what they believe is best for themselves and our community," Leonard said. "That said, parents should understand some students and staff — hopefully very few, particularly in elementary schools — may not be in masks. We will encourage and highly recommend masks, but we cannot apply consequences for non-compliance." RELATED COVERAGE:Leander ISD Will Require Masks As COVID-19 Cases Rise Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Tests Positive For COVID-19 APH Will Give You A $50 H-E-B Gift Card If You Get COVID Vaccine Texas Officials Plead With Abbott To Rescind Mask Executive Order