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By Frank Cardenas

Students, faculty and visitors to the Kingsville Independent School District are now required to wear face masks when “indoor KISD facilities,” after a 5-2 split vote by the KISD Board of Trustees on Friday evening.

An emergency meeting of the KISD School Board was called with only three days before the start of the school year, and a rise of positive and probable COVID-19 cases in the area.

The order states masks must be worn “at all times” when inside school facilities within the district.

It also states that “occupants of KISD vehicles, including buses, must properly wear a face mask if there is more than one occupant in the vehicle.”

The order will be in effect for 45 days from Aug. 23 and then expire “unless extended or suspended” by further board action.

“We are going to recommend masks to be utilized to protect the students,” KISD Superintendent Dr. Cissy Reynolds-Perez said before the order was presented.

Trustee Brian Coufal made the motion for the mask order, and said the item in the motion is a stand alone item and is not a part of the district’s dress code.

“I think the (Kleberg County) could have taken action, they chose not to, (The City of Kingsville) could have taken action, they chose not to. They pushed us out, as a school board, in front of them, to go up against (Texas Gov. Greg Abbott) and I think that we should be mindful of what the repercussions are going to be,” board trustee James Glusing said. “I believe we can do anything that we want as long as you’re willing to pay for having our hands slapped. I would like to see a different motion, but I understand.”

Coufal said he has struggled with a decision regarding the order, however, changing circumstances in the area have helped ease what he feels is the best thing to do.

“The healthcare professionals I have spoken with have convinced me that at this moment in time, in Kleberg County and the KISD; I believe this is the most responsible action I can take,” Coufal said.

Board President Corey Garza added that he agrees with Coufal’s sentiments, and said he’d rather “continue to be proactive, instead of reactive,” both as a trustee and as a parent.

Trustee Elizabeth Ramos said the board should be taking “a completely different approach” on the issue, because there are issues with the presented order.

“I don’t understand - because nobody is explaining it - on how this is going to be enforced (or) how kids are going to be reprimanded for not wearing a mask,” Ramos said. “And I just don’t know how glaring of an example that is, for a kid to get in trouble for obeying the law.”

Ramos said there are other options besides mask wearing the board can take to accommodate worried parents, including remote learning. However, the board has yet to discuss the other options.

She added the mask order could also cause issues for those who are unable to wear a mask, or cannot communicate while wearing one.

KISD Attorney Nick Maddox said the order will be enforced to students “like a dress code” and not wearing a mask will put a student into a disciplinary procedure that applies to all students.

However, special populations, like special education and 504, “have their own bodies of law that govern how (the schools) handle those students (…) and they supersede any local policy or state law.”

“If you have a special education student or 504 student who cannot wear a mask as a manifestation of their disability, they will not be required to,” Maddox added.

Board Secretary David Garcia said the mission for the KISD is to provide a “safe and challenging academic environment” for the students, and the order is a great way to provide that for the students.

“We are their voice, the kids need protection, and I’ll always move on the safety of our kids,” Garcia said.

Glusing retorted, if the safety of the students is their number one concern, then they should adjust what their plan of action is.

“We’re going to lose money because we have chosen not to put (students) in a mask, then lets go ahead and lose the money and teach them from home with distanced education,” Glusing said.

There was some discussion regarding remote learning for KISD students between the ages of 6 to 11 “until vaccinations are available from the county.”

However, with lack of knowledge on the possible financial impact of allowing students to remote learn and the possible consequences of the action, the board voted 1-6 against the motion.

Trustees Ramos and Glusing voted against the mask order for the district, while Ramos was the lone vote for remote learning.