Classes end for Wylie ISD students this week, and some­thing else will end as well: re­quirements for mask wearing by students and staff.

The Wylie ISD board on May 17 approved removing mask re­quirements for students and staff and making them optional after the end of the school year, ef­fective May 26. Mask-wearing won’t be required for patrons at­tending graduations for students at Achieve Academy (May 27), Wylie East High School (May 28) and Wylie High School (May 29).

The new policy – making masks optional – was made in accordance with the Texas Ed­ucation Agency Public Health Guidance and Gov. Greg Ab­bott’s executive order, accord­ing to the motion. That order came in March.

On May 18, Abbott issued an executive order prohibiting gov­ernmental entities in Texas ¬– including counties, cities, school districts, public health author­ities or government offices – from mandating mask wearing. Public schools may continue to follow current mask-wearing guidelines until June 4, but af­terward, students, staff and oth­ers can’t be required to wear a mask while on campus.

For the full story, see the May 27 issue or subscribe online.

By Don Munsch • [email protected]