At the onset of the pandemic in 2020, the state Office of the Texas Attorney General amended the Texas Open Meetings Act to allow Texas entities to host virtual meetings and have public meeting facilities closed to the general public.
On June 30, 2021, Governor Abbott’s office approved a request by the Office of the Attorney General to lift the suspensions of certain provisions of the Open Meetings Act. The suspensions will lift at 12:01 a.m. on September 1, 2021.
Thus, as of September 1, 2021, all provisions of the Open Meetings Act will return to its original state and all Texas governmental bodies subject to the Open Meetings Act must conduct their meetings in full compliance with the Open Meetings Act as written in statute.
To remain in compliance, DeSoto ISD will no longer offer virtual public comments for in-person meetings. All those who desire to share a public comment MUST attend the in-person meeting and submit their comment request card prior to the start of the meeting to the board secretary or designee to make a public comment on agenda and non-agenda items.
Additionally, while our meetings are open to the public, in DeSoto ISD, we are still abiding by the social distancing and are continuing the mask-wearing protocols while in district facilities at this time.