KILLEEN, TX — Killeen ISD has announced it will require students and staff to wear facial coverings even if Governor Greg Abbott's statewide mask mandate is lifted.
The district announced the rule in an update on health and safety procedures.
Students and staff will be required to wear face coverings when social distancing cannot be maintained. There will be some exclusions, as some may need an accommodation.
Students and staff will be allowed to wear their own face covering, provided they are not a distraction and within the dress code. The district is also developing a plan to distribute personal protection equipment to campuses.
The district is also working on entry and exit plans for students, as well as outline routines for transition periods to reduce congestion in hallways and communal areas.
Classroom teachers will have the ability to establish "teacher zones" around their desks or workspaces to allow for a safe distance to be maintained. The teacher zones will be easily identified by students.
Students and employees will be encouraged to regularly wash or sanitize their hands and receive proper hand washing training. All district employees will receive specific COVID-19 training designed to mitigate the potential spread of the virus.
Killeen ISD parents will continue to have the option for their child to begin the school year in-person or through a virtual learning platform, designed and delivered by KISD educators.
