Copperas Cove ISD announces continuation of face coverings

Special to Leader-Press

After consulting with Coryell County medical professionals and local emergency management officials, Copperas Cove ISD Superintendent Dr. Joe Burns announced on Friday that face coverings will continue to be required for both students and staff in the district.

“We have a responsibility to public health and to ensure the safety of our students and staff,” Burns said. “The protocols that we implemented have been successful, allowing students to have face-to-face instruction and participate in extra-curricular activities.”

The Governor’s announcement lifting the mask mandate comes as districts prepare for Spring Break March 15-19 where families are expected to travel and large groups will gather together. Students under the age of 18 are not currently eligible to receive the COVID vaccine, increasing the potential exposure to staff with the removal of face coverings.

“We must stay focused on our purpose of providing a safe environment for face-to-face instruction,” Burns said. “We are grateful for our families’ commitment to complete their daily screeners, keep their students home when they are not feeling well, and work together to mitigate and prevent the spread of the Coronavirus.”

According to CCISD, a survey of its staff showed that they were overwhelmingly in favor of continuing the requirement of face coverings in the district.

Burns said CCISD will continue to monitor the number of cases in Copperas Cove and Coryell County and the threshold of staff who have received the vaccination.

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