Depending on where you live, your local school district may or may not require students and teachers to wear face masks while at school. In some states, like California and Illinois, all students and teachers are required to wear face masks. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the governors of some states, like Florida and Texas, have made it illegal for school districts to set mask mandates.

One school district in Texas wanted to require students and teachers to wear face masks to school, but they also didn’t want to violate Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s new ban on mask mandates. Parents, doctors and employees met to discuss what to do, and they came up with a creative solution that seems to solve their problem.

Instead of instituting a mask mandate, the Paris Independent School District modified the school’s dress code. Now, wearing a face mask is a required part of the school district’s dress code.

In a statement, the Paris ISD explained, “The Board of Trustees is concerned about the health and safety of its students and employees. The Board believes the dress code can be used to mitigate communicable health issues, and therefore has amended the PISD dress code to protect our students and employees.”

The statement also went on to explain that the governor doesn’t have the power to change the dress code. “The Texas Governor does not have the authority to usurp the Board of Trustees’ exclusive power and duty to govern and oversee the management of the public schools of the district.”

The dress code is not permanent and can be changed. Face masks will most likely not be a part of the dress code forever, but they are for now. At each monthly board meeting, the board plans to discuss whether or not to keep face masks as part of the dress code.

Even though Governor Abbott has banned mask mandates, some cities in Texas have ignored his order. These cities include Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio. Meanwhile, Governor Abbott, who is fully vaccinated, has tested positive for Covid-19.

Are students and teachers required to wear face masks to school where you live? Do you think students and teachers should be required to wear face masks to school? Do you think more schools will add face masks to their school’s dress code?