DALLAS — This list will be updated as needed.
Many larger districts across the state are bucking Gov. Greg Abbott's executive order banning mask requirements and moving forward with mask requirements at the local level.
Dallas County issued a mask requirement citing the rise in pediatric hospitalizations and the surge of the delta variant.
The Texas Supreme Court sided with Gov. Greg Abbott to overturn temporary restraining orders in Bexar and Dallas counties that blocked his mask mandate ban. This blocks new mask orders in both counties until cases can progress to their temporary injunction hearings.
Below is a list of all the local school districts that will require masks. WFAA has not heard from any districts, so far, that have said they would prohibit masks.
Arlington ISD
Arlington ISD officials said that they are considering filing a lawsuit against Abbott's executive order.
According to the district, the legal action being drafted by the district's attorneys will be reviewed at the Arlington ISD board meeting on Thursday, Aug. 19. WFAA will keep you updated with what happens.
Grapevine-Colleyville ISD
Grapevine-Colleyville ISD said on Monday that the district will comply with Executive Orders from Gov. Abbott. It strongly recommends that students, staff, parents and visitors wear a face mask on campus or in district facilities.
HEB ISD
The Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD says masks are optional for students and staff.
Lake Dallas ISD
Lake Dallas ISD says masks are optional for staff, students and visitors.
Rockwall ISD
Rockwall ISD says masks are encouraged.
White Settlement ISD
White Settlement ISD "strongly recommends" face masks.
Districts in Dallas County
Richardson ISD said it would continue to require masks, citing a ruling in Travis County that would temporarily restrain the governor’s mask order, allowing each school district in Texas to legally make a local decision on masks.
"This ruling, at least temporarily, allows RISD to decide on its own mask policy," the district wrote on its website.
Garland ISD announced it would start requiring masks Sept. 1 for anyone on its facilities, regardless of their vaccination status.
Some districts have changed course following the Texas Supreme Court Ruling ruling.
Duncanville ISD has followed suit, announcing on Sept. 1 it would begin to temporarily require masks under a mandate that begins Sept. 7 for anyone inside district facilities. The superintendent said he was particularly concerned about students coming back from holidays like Labor Day or Fall Break in October and potentially spreading the virus.
Districts where masks are "strongly encouraged" or optional:
- Cedar Hill ISD
- Coppell ISD
- Grand Prairie ISD
- Highland Park ISD
- Irving ISD
- Lancaster ISD
Districts where masks are required:
- Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD
- Dallas ISD
- DeSoto ISD
- Duncanville ISD
- Mesquite ISD
- Richardson ISD
Districts in Tarrant County
- Crowley ISD
- Everman ISD
In the latest development in the fight over masks in the Fort Worth ISD, the second court of appeals sided with a group of parents who sued the district over its mask requirement, upholding the temporary injunction previously imposed by the lower court and preventing the district from mandating masks.
The decision came down just days after the school district re-imposed the mask mandate following a previous Friday ruling, and hours after the district's newest mandate took effect.
Collin County
As of this writing, masks are optional in every school district in the county.
Frisco and Plano ISDs are offering virtual learning options. Wylie ISD said Wednesday night it will offer remote conferencing, which is a temporary form of instruction for students in isolation or quarantine.
Melissa ISD says face masks are recommended for those who feel it is appropriate for them.
Denton County
Denton ISD on Tuesday announced it will require masks in school, beginning Thursday, "until local hospitalization access and community spread of COVID-19 slows."
The district began the school year without a mask requirement but saw cases rise over the last two weeks -- from less than 10 reported cases in the first two days of class to almost 100 by the end of the first week. The district is now averaging about 60 positive cases of COVID-19 per day.
"Our teachers will need your help," the district said in a statement. "Each one of them will now be tasked with ensuring our students wear face coverings while in class and when keeping a physical distance is not possible. We believe it is our responsibility to use every tool available to protect our students and staff."