We, parents of Wylie Independent School District, urge the School Board, Superintendent, and school administrators to take additional measures to keep our kids healthy and safe from Covid-19.

Our children returned to classes in mid-August amid a steep increase in Covid-19 cases in Collin County. Inadequate anti-Covid measures, particularly the lack of mandatory face masks for students and staff, allowed the virus to spread rapidly among students. By September 10th, Wylie ISD had reported 804 cases, with many others likely going unreported.

"My husband and I went to great lengths for more than 18 months to keep our four children healthy and Covid-free. Our oldest got the vaccine earlier this year, but our three youngest can't yet. In less than a month of in-person classes, where some students and many staff did not wear masks, two of our children tested positive for Covid. Superintendent David Vinson and our school principals have done nothing to keep our kids safe from Covid this school year and they themselves do not wear masks." Annie McElhenny, Murphy, Texas

Wylie ISD and its administrators must provide a safe and healthy learning environment for our children. To that end, we ask that they follow CDC guidelines for Covid-19 prevention in schools and take the following measures:

• Mandate masks for all students, teachers, staff and visitors regardless of vaccination status
• Mandate Covid-19 vaccination for all teachers and staff
• Limit visitors to schools and require all visitors to wear a mask
• Maintain at least three feet between students in classrooms, lunchrooms and other indoor school environments