Abilene ISD trustees affirm mask requirement stays in effect Abilene Independent School District trustees affirmed a commitment to health and safety protocols, including universal mask use, during their school board meeting Monday. Trustees were met with vocal opposition to the policy, including nine emails sent from parents during the public comment portion and several folks in the limited audience holding signs with messages calling masks abuse and demanding they be allowed to breathe. Yet, trustees opted to not change their policies designed to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 spreading in schools. It echoes the district's stance taken shortly after Gov. Greg Abbott said he'd lift his statewide mask mandate March 2. It was lifted March 10 through a executive order.