Tyler ISD votes against mask mandate

TYLER — On Monday, parents banded together to speak up at a Tyler ISD board meeting about COVID-19 related topics like mask and vaccine mandates. According to our news partner KETK, vaccines and masks in schools have been hot topics since the start of classes. These subjects have divided parents and staff in school districts across the state and here in Tyler.

Most parents KETK spoke to were against the mandates and eventually the school board voted “no” to a mask mandate, but groups who are for the mandates said the fight isn’t over yet. Parents said they have been speaking up since August when the school board voted to give a $500 incentive to teachers who got the vaccine. Some parents felt the money should be used elsewhere.

Sarah Fields, the director of Advocacy of the Texas Freedom Coalition added that it is against medical privacy. Fields said they will keep coming until their voices are heard and the school board “understands what the people want and what is important to the parents.” At the school board meeting, parents who opposed the vaccine incentive policy and mask mandate wore red.

The next board meeting for Tyler ISD is set for Oct. 18 and the Texas Freedom Coalition does plan on attending it.