Schools in McLennan County will not have to wait until September 8 to hold in-person classes after the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District rescinded its initial order.
The health district issued an order on July 21 barring in-person classes from being held until after September 7 as a means of preventing the spread of COVID-19.
On Tuesday, Attorney General Ken Paxton issued guidance that local health authorities do not have the ability to issue sweeping school closures for preventative measures.
The health district said actions taken by state agencies and officials, along with the UIL, have "rendered orders issued by Local Health Authorities such as McLennan County Public Health ineffectual."
All school-sponsored events and activities, including but not limited to clubs, sports, fairs, exhibitions, academic and/or athletic competitions, will also be allowed to resume in McLennan County under TEA and UIL guidelines.
The McLennan County Health Authority has rescinded their school control order. In-person classes and activities can resume. This is huge news for McLennan County class 1-4A athletic programs that can now continue practices and games under UIL timeline if they choose. #txhsfb https://t.co/WLYRBQRXj3
— Abby Loring (@abbyloring) July 29, 2020
Dr. Farley Verner, the Medical Authority for the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District, is still encouraging all schools to consider September 8 as the start date. Waco ISD has already pushed back its start of the new school year to September following a school board vote on July 23.
Dr. Verner is also urging all public school districts to take every prudent step possible to protect the health and well-being of students, teachers, staff, parents, and our community.
