Broward Superintendent, Faculty Board Stay Agency On Masks Mandate, Regardless of Penalty From Training Division – CBS Miami
FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) – Members of the Broward School Committee met Tuesday to discuss sanctions from Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran for the county’s face-covering policy.
On Monday, the Florida Department of Education followed up its threat to withhold monthly salaries from school board members who violated Governor Ron DeSantis’s ban on mask mandates, despite a judge ruling the mandate ban unconstitutional.
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School board members have said they are willing to lose their $ 40,000 salaries to keep students and teachers safe.
“We continue to receive legal notices that we are complying with the rules and the order issued there,” said the interim superintendent of Broward Schools, Dr. Vickie Cartwright, the board members.
DeSantis’ executive order states that it should be up to parents if their children wear masks in schools.
Broward School’s guidelines allow an opt-out option, but only for medical reasons or students with special needs. Cartwright said they also adhere to the Department of Education policy that they report the number of students who face consequences if they do not wear a mask.
“The health and safety of our students, teachers and staff remains our top priority. Therefore, we will continue to prescribe the mask as we know that our data, or quarantine data, shows that using the mask will help minimize the spread of COVID-19, “Cartwright said.
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Corcoran’s sentence comes after Leon County District Judge John C. Cooper ruled Friday that the ban on mandates is unconstitutional and unenforceable.
Interim attorney Marylin Batista of Broward Schools said she believes they are following the state’s constitution.
“The language of the school authorities should operate, control and supervise all free public schools.
Corcoran said additional sanctions and enforcement measures could be imposed if the school board does not lift the mask mandate.
DeSantis has vowed to appeal the judge’s verdict, which could happen this week.
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The school board remains firmly convinced that it will ultimately win this battle in court.