Frisco parents protesting lack of mask discussion at school board meetings

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Hundreds of parents gathered outside of the Frisco ISD Administration Building Thursday afternoon to protest the lack of an opportunity to discuss masks in school at Frisco’s school board meetings.

The district allows residents to comment on agenda items only during the public comment portion of special school board meetings, which it held on Aug. 13 and Aug. 25. The district later clarified that residents can comment on non-agenda or non-action items during regularly scheduled board meetings.

Because masks have not been an agenda item during the two recent special board meetings, protesting parents say their concerns regarding the lack of a district mask mandate — masks are optional for students, staff and visitors — are being silenced.

Organizers said past protests pushed for a mask mandate within the district, but Thursday’s protest is about being heard.

“Of course we would like to see a mask mandate,” protest organizer and parent Kelly Karthik told The Dallas Morning News. “But we can’t even get our foot in the door to talk about it. We can’t even be heard. That’s our real frustration today.”

1/9Community members seeking better COVID-19 protections gather during a protest at the Frisco ISD Administration Building in Frisco, TX, on Aug. 26, 2021.(Jason Janik / Special Contributor)

2/9Devang Shah, left, and 8-year-old Khushi Shah join other community members seeking better COVID-19 protections during a protest at the Frisco ISD Administration Building in Frisco, TX, on Aug. 26, 2021.(Jason Janik / Special Contributor)

3/9Community members seeking better COVID-19 protections gather during a protest at the Frisco ISD Administration Building in Frisco, TX, on Aug. 26, 2021.(Jason Janik / Special Contributor)

4/9Community members seeking better COVID-19 protections gather during a protest at the Frisco ISD Administration Building in Frisco, TX, on Aug. 26, 2021. (Jason Janik/Special Contributor)(Jason Janik / Special Contributor)

5/9Community members seeking better COVID-19 protections gather during a protest at the Frisco ISD Administration Building in Frisco, TX, on Aug. 26, 2021.(Jason Janik / Special Contributor)

6/9Community members seeking better COVID-19 protections gather during a protest at the Frisco ISD Administration Building in Frisco, TX, on Aug. 26, 2021.(Jason Janik / Special Contributor)

7/9Community members seeking better COVID-19 protections gather during a protest at the Frisco ISD Administration Building in Frisco, TX, on Aug. 26, 2021.(Jason Janik / Special Contributor)

8/9Community members seeking better COVID-19 protections gather during a protest at the Frisco ISD Administration Building in Frisco, TX, on Aug. 26, 2021.(Jason Janik / Special Contributor)

9/9Community members seeking better COVID-19 protections gather during a protest at the Frisco ISD Administration Building in Frisco, TX, on Aug. 26, 2021.(Jason Janik / Special Contributor)

During the protest, organizers and parents delivered a letter to Frisco administrators asking for the opportunity to voice their opinions.

“There should be zero fear and repercussions for adding our mask mandate request to an agenda for taxpayers and parents to voice publicly as they deserve. That is all we are requesting,” parents wrote in the letter that was provided to The News.

Karthik said the district has made changes they’ve requested in past protests and emails, including staggered class rotation scheduled, varied dismissals, expanded lunchroom options and improved contact tracing.

“Our district leadership values community feedback and input, and board meetings provide an opportunity for the public to share their thoughts with district leaders,” Frisco ISD spokeswoman Meghan Cone said in an email statement. “There are numerous other ways citizens make their voices heard, including email, phone calls, and social media communications, and many individuals are taking advantage of those channels at this time.”

The protests comes as COVID-19 levels continue to rise in Collin and Denton counties, prompting the city to adjust hours for city facilities and programs for children.

In Dallas County, a state district judge has ruled that Gov. Greg Abbott’s ban on mask orders violates Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins’ ability to manage the COVID-19 pandemic, reinforcing the decision by many of the county’s school districts to require masks.