school board

Leon County Judge John Cooper ruled that Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody had the authority to enter a series of settlements that effectively trumped local lawsuits pursued.

This week's decisions in Alachua, Miami-Dade and Broward counties mean all eight school districts that faced state financial penalties because of mask mandates have reversed course.

In asking the appeals court to move quickly, attorneys for the school boards said the emergency rule is slated to expire Dec. 21 and is creating confusion for students, teachers and parents.

An administrative law judge upheld the emergency rule and said decisions to opt out of student mask requirements are at the “sole discretion” of parents or guardians.

The three-judge panel stopped short of deciding the lawsuit but said the school districts cannot stand between parents and "their lawful right to make decisions on behalf of their children.”

Parents will be able to opt out their children from wearing masks as of Monday As numbers of COVID cases have decreased across the state, Orange and other districts have reevaluated mask mandates.

The question was raised at a recent school board meeting. Could the special session end with a way to remove members who defy state rules? Scott Stephens, a Stetson law professor, offers perspective.

The warning is in response to the state saying it would consider preventing federal grant funds from making up money the penalized school boards lost through mask mandate fines.

During a two-day hearing, Administrative Law Judge Brian Newman heard testimony from witnesses called by attorneys for the state and the districts challenging rules on student masking.

The two-day trial kicked off in Tallahassee with the districts arguing the health department overstepped its authority and the state saying those claims are overblown.