TEXAS — At least 45 Texas school districts have had to shut down in-person instruction, according to the Texas Tribune. An explosion of COVID-19 cases has caused numerous student and staff absences and substitute teachers have been hard to come by.


What You Need To Know

  • At least 45 Texas school districts have suspended in-person learning as COVID-19 cases tick up, according to reporting by the Texas Tribune

  • While numerous school districts have mask mandates in place in defiance of the governor's executive order forbidding them, some districts have rescinded those mandates

  • Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton this week warned those districts with mandates in place that he will "see you in court"

  • Texas on Wednesday reported 25,184 new confirmed cases of the virus and 9,241 new probable cases 

While many school districts have defied Gov. Greg Abbott’s executive order and are requiring masks inside district facilities, some are reversing that decision.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton this week noted three school districts – Trenton ISD, Calvert ISD and Los Fresnos ISD – rescinded their mask mandates. He issued a warning to those school districts that haven’t followed suit.

“3 districts rescinded mask-mandates: Trenton, Calvert, & Los Fresnos ISDs. In doing so, they’ll save taxpayer $$ in futile litigation & comply with TX law. More ISDs are still breaking the law. Lawsuits are coming against them THIS WEEK,” Paxton wrote. “Rescind now or see you in court!”

On Wednesday Marble Falls ISD joined the list of districts that have rescinded mandates.

In an emergency order issued in July, Abbott reaffirmed his ban on mask mandates by any government entity, although federal agencies have mandated masks in their facilities. The governor and Paxton have said they would sue any entity that does not comply with the emergency order.

Meanwhile, the Texas Department of State Health Services on Wednesday reported 34,425 new cases of COVID-19, of which 25,184 are confirmed and 9,241 are probable. The state health agency additionally reported 286 new fatalities attributed to the virus.

There are currently 13,520 Texans being treated for the virus in hospitals, of which 294 are pediatric patients. A total 3,733 adult patients are in intensive care.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.