Two teachers at Austin-area schools are experiencing a not-so-pleasant start to the school year after being physically assaulted and verbally attacked by parents.
According to KPRC 2′s sister-station KSAT, one teacher at an Eanes Independent School District campus was physically assaulted by a parent and had her face mask ripped off while a teacher at another campus was verbally attacked and told to take off her mask because an upset parent couldn’t understand what she was saying.
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Both incidents which occurred on Monday prompted school officials to speak out pleading “do not fight mask wars in our schools.”
“This type of behavior will not be tolerated in Eanes ISD. Our staff are on the front lines of this pandemic,” EISD Superintendent Tom Leonard said according to KSAT. “Let’s give them some space and grace. Please, I am asking everyone to be kind.”
EISD is following an order from a Travis County judge that requires masks in schools; however, according to a note from Leonard school officials can’t apply consequences for non-compliance, KSAT reports.
“Eanes ISD is following the current Travis County Order, which is in effect and will remain so unless a higher court overturns the recent decision of the 345th Travis County Judicial District Court. The trustees and I take an oath to abide by the laws of Texas. We will follow the law,” Leonard said.
According to KSAT, Leonard recognized that while many people disagree with mask mandates, he said “we all want students to be safe and we all should treat each other respectfully.”