Effective Monday, the Hutto Independent School District is requiring masks to be worn on campus for all students, teachers, and staff. That decision was made on August 17 by Hutto Board of Trustees.
Superintendent Celina Estrada Thomas sent word to parents on Friday, citing various factors that led the district to impose the mandate, including a recent decision from the Texas Supreme Court that allowed mandates to stand in local school districts for the time being. Other factors include:
- Infection Rate (Community and School District): As of August 18, it was 57 per 100,000 (the goal is single digits). This number is trending up instead of down.
- Hospital and ICU Beds Availability: 11% and 1%, respectively
- Vaccination Rates: Countywide = 53%; Eligible population = 63%
- 32 staff members have tested positive for COVID-19 since mid-July; as of Thursday, August 19, there are 13 active positive staff cases.
- 67 students were unable to attend the first day of school because they were positive for COVID or their household had more than two people who tested positive.
“Our mask requirement will look very similar to how we successfully conducted in-person school last year,” said Thomas.
Students will be allowed to remove their masks while eating, drinking, and participating in physical activities. Masks will also not be required for athletics or extracurricular activities in which they are already optional.
