Fort Worth school board settles mask mandate lawsuit filed by four parents

The four parents who sued the Fort Worth school board over its mask mandate last August have come to a settlement with the board, including conditions for any mask mandates implemented in the current school year, according to a Friday news release from the district.

Fort Worth ISD said in the release that any future mask mandates it might deem necessary for students inside school buildings will include an option for parents to exempt their child for medical reasons or reasons of conscience. The district does not currently have a mask mandate.

Todd Daniel, one of the parents who sued the district, said he’s glad it’s over and he feels like the lawsuit has done some good.

“They’re starting to pay attention and listen to us,” Daniel said. “It’s a shame we have to go to the courts to force them to listen to parents and students, but I’m glad. In hindsight, it’s not been fun and all, but maybe we’re starting to get some respect and some attention.”

The district said in the news release that it does not admit to any wrongdoing “in connection with its efforts to keep its students safe during the pandemic,” but that the board recognizes challenges to education created by COVID-19 pandemic and that there are different ideas about the best way to ensure the safety and success of students.

The district said in the release that it and the board “value and encourage the rights of parents to fully and actively participate in their student’s education.”

Daniel said the district has also agreed to pay some legal fees.

He said the main reason the parents decided to settle was to prevent future legal costs, which he suspected could be in the tens of thousands of dollars.

Daniel also said the lawsuit has led the parents who filed the suit and others to become more involved in school board policy and that he hopes this will lead to more parent involvement in district policy.

The Fort Worth school district is still party to a lawsuit, La Joya ISD et al. vs Greg Abbott et al., challenging Gov. Abbott’s prohibition of mask mandates in Texas public schools. The case is pending before the Texas Supreme Court.