Round Rock School Mask Mandate Case: Judge Hears Arguments

Round Rock TX

08 October, 2021

2:00 PM

Description

ROUND ROCK, TX — A Williamson County judge heard arguments this week on a lawsuit filed by Attorney General Ken Paxton against Round Rock ISD over its mask mandate. Judge Betsy Figer Lambeth in the 425th District Court held the hearing Thursday. Round Rock ISD are among six Texas school districts the attorney general is suing in regard to their mask mandates. Richardson, Galveston, Spring, Elgin and Sherman ISDs are also being targeted by the Texas attorney general. Back in May, Gov. Greg Abbott issued executive order GA-38, which prohibits government entities from mandating face coverings. Live in Round Rock? Click here to subscribe to our free breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox and mobile devices. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and download our free mobile app on Android or iPhone. But after coronavirus cases, specifically, the delta variant, spiked across the metro area over the summer. Many districts decided to supersede the state's authority by enforcing their own mask mandates. Round Rock ISD argued under the Texas Education Code, the Round Rock School board would have the exclusive power and authority to govern. A Williamson County district court judge previously ordered that Round Rock ISD cannot "issue or enforce" a mandate, however, a Third Court of Appeals put a hold on that order, saying the district could continue with its order for now. Round Rock ISD does provide students the opportunity to opt out of the districts mask mandate if a student has a health and/or developmental condition. No decision was made in the case Thursday. Another hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. Oct. 27.