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Several Florida County school districts are implementing mask warrants in defiance of a recent executive order from Governor Ron DeSantis. The order was made to prevent schools from implementing their own mandates for students, leaving that decision to parents instead.
Palm Beach County Acting Superintendent Mike Burke on Saturday announced that masks would be mandatory in buildings and on buses during the next school year. Parents will always have the option of avoiding this rule, but they will have to send a note with their child to present to the first-term teachers. There will be no option for faculty, staff, visitors to opt out, WPTV reports.
“Parents and guardians, I have heard your passionate calls on both sides of this debate at school board meetings,” Burke said in a statement on the tenure. “I have also read your e-mail messages. I have considered all of your contributions. However, I must make decisions that protect the health and well-being of our students and staff.”
Burke added that he would review the warrant every 30 days to see if it needed to be changed or lifted completely.
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A similar warrant was also issued for schools in Hillsborough County, where Florida’s third largest city, Tampa is located. Superintendent Addison Davis made the announcement on Saturday, after previously saying the matter was under review.
Similar to the Palm Beach County ordinance, the warrant will provide parents with the option for their children to opt out. It will also be reassessed downstream on September 3.
“We need our parents to be actively engaged and involved,” Davis told Florida’s News Channel 8. “That’s why this decision gives our parents a choice.”
News week contacted Governor DeSantis’ office for comment on these developments, but did not receive a response until the time of publication.
The University of Florida has also issued a mask warrant for all students in response to the increase in cases in the state. Masks will be mandatory regardless of vaccination status and students are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated before August 22. Injections will be offered on campus for all students needing a second injection after arrival.
“All of us at the University of Florida have an obligation to each do our part to prevent further transmission of COVID-19,” the university statement said. “We’re in the same boat, and each of us plays an important role in improving our health and safety, our neighbors and loved ones. It’s the right thing to do – and the experts doctors say vaccination and masking are the best ways to do it. “
Florida has become the epicenter of the latest wave of COVID-19 cases, spurred by the highly virulent variant Delta. According to CDC data, the Sunshine State has recorded nearly 135,000 confirmed cases of the virus in the past week, far surpassing all other states and territories.
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