RISD issues modified version of mask mandate

Officials from the Rusk school district recently issued the following mask mandate modification:

“Rusk ISD strongly recommends all staff and appropriate students continue to wear face coverings as out-lined by the CDC and the TEA. We have nine weeks of school left and many activities scheduled for this semester. Wearing the face covering is the ONLY safe guard that allows individuals to stay on campus. It would be unfortunate if events such as graduation were restricted or individuals were prohibited from attending. It is, however, understandable that individuals want to have the choice of wearing the face covering especially with the Governor having removed the mandate State wide (excluding schools). The Rusk ISD Board approved a policy that allows each person to determine if they wear the face covering or not. This policy also includes measures to assist the District with all of the other TEA regulations that are still in effect, including individuals who test positive and those who are in ‘close contact.’ The recom-mended modifications are listed below.

“RISD Staff may elect to be exempt from wearing a mask by providing their campus or department super-visor with a signed copy of the RISD Staff exemption form. The employee needs to be aware, as reflected in the form that choosing to be exempted from the mandate will forfeit their access to the additional ap-proved paid leave provided by the District and they must use their personal days in the event they are required to quarantine due to close contact tracing or contract the COVID 19 virus and expose other staff or students while on campus.

“RISD Staff that elect to follow the mask mandate will continue to have access to the additional approved paid leave provided by the District. If a staff member is found not to be wearing their mask in accordance with the CDC guidelines during contact tracing or COVID 19 exposure on campus they may forfeit their access to the additional approved paid leave provided by the District.

“Parents of RISD Junior High and High School Students may elect their child be exempt from wearing a mask by providing their campus with a signed copy of the RISD Student exemption form. The parent needs to be aware, as reflected in the form that choosing to be exempted from the mandate will void the student’s access to virtual instruction in the event they are required to quarantine due to close contact tracing or contract the COVID 19 virus and expose other staff or students while on campus. Days missed will be counted as absences and RISD Attendance procedures will be applied.

“Parents of RISD Junior High and High School that elect to follow the mask mandate will continue to have access to virtual instruction and RISD “COVID” Attendance procedures will be applied. If a student is found not to be wearing their mask in accordance with the CDC guidelines during contact tracing or COVID 19 exposure on campus they may forfeit their access to virtual instruction and days missed will be counted as absences and RISD Attendance procedures will be applied.

“Additionally any student whose parent chooses for them to follow the mask mandate may be subject to disciplinary action by the campus for failure to wear their mask as prescribed.

“All staff and students are required to wear the mask until their exemption letters are received.”