March 8, 2021
BISD Updates Mask Requirement for Pre-K Through Third Grade  

Clarification regarding masks at school: 
The Texas Education Agency’s (TEA’s) SY 20-21 Public Health Planning Guidance dated March 4, 2021 states that mask requirements are still in place. However, these requirements do not apply to any person younger than 10 years of age. 

BISD’s board of trustees met in a special meeting on Monday, March 8 to discuss the District’s current procedure requiring the wearing of face masks in all District facilities. This meeting resulted from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) Commissioner Mike Morath’s recent update of the public health guidance for schools as it relates to wearing masks. The TEA’s guidance maintains all previous mask requirements in schools and provides an option for local school boards to adjust these requirements for their own school districts. 

Therefore, BISD’s board of trustees voted to continue operating under the District’s existing COVID-19 prevention protocols implemented in August 2020, including masks except for pre-K through third grade students. Effective Wednesday, March 10, pre-K through third grade students will not be required to wear masks in class during individual student activities. However,
pre-K through third grade students will be required to wear masks in common areas* such as building entrances and exits, in the cafeteria before and after eating, in the hallways, etc. Any pre-K through third grade students wanting to wear a mask in class will be allowed to do so. 

After the meeting, BISD Superintendent Dr. Darrell Brown announced that elementary playgrounds would reopen after spring break. Students playing outdoors will not be required to wear masks on the playgrounds.  

BISD remains focused on student and staff safety and well-being, and we are encouraged by the progress being made with vaccine availability. Thank you for your continued efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in our community.   

*Note: Individual campuses may identify additional common areas to meet the uniqueness of their facility.