Dear HISD Community:

The Houston Independent School District is very pleased that Travis County Judge Catherine Mauzy has issued a temporary injunction that authorizes the District to continue implementing its decision to temporarily require masks for students, staff and visitors at all District campuses, facilities, and buses.

Superintendent Millard House II testified at the hearing expressing the need for the mandate in HISD schools. This decision will allow the District to educate students in the classroom with other students and teachers, while using all available tools to mitigate COVID-19, particularly the current Delta variant surge.  Although the Attorney General is appealing Judge Mauzy’s decision, there is no court order that prevents the District from continuing its efforts to keep students and staff safe while the lawsuit is resolved on appeal. 

Since the Attorney General has publicly stated that enforcement of the Governor’s executive order rests with local district attorneys and other officials, Houston ISD will coordinate with our local authorities in Harris County to ensure that the District’s efforts to safely educate students are not interrupted while the appellate courts consider the issues. 

Sincerely,