Two Florida Counties Continue To Enforce Mask Mandates Despite Financial Penalties

Broward and Alachua counties in Florida are pressing forward with mask mandates for their public school systems despite facing financial penalties from the state for failing to enable parents to opt-out of the obligation, as Governor Ron DeSantis directed.

Florida Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran revealed Monday that the state’s education department had begun withholding payments from the two counties due to their mask requirements.

Tuesday’s statements from the counties’ education superintendents confirmed that districts are standing firm on the mandate.

“I’m very troubled by the state’s action. Our School Board members made a courageous decision to protect the health and lives of students, staff and the people of this community, and a court has already ruled they had the legal right to do so. They deserve praise, not penalties,” Alachua County Public Schools Superintendent Carlee Simon said in a statement.

“We have already begun working with our colleagues in other districts to take legal action. We believe this is a necessary step to ensure that Florida’s districts have the right to act in the best interests of those they serve.”

Interim Broward County Public Schools Superintendent Vickie Cartwright stated Tuesday during a meeting with the school board that the mandate will remain in place.

“The health and the safety of our students, teachers, and staff continues to be our highest priority,” Cartwright said. “As such we will continue to mandate the mask knowing that our data, as we are looking at it, our quarantine data, is demonstrating that the use of the mask is helping to minimize the spread of Covid-19.”

COVID-19 cases are on the rise in Florida, and the state is one of five that have less than 10% of their ICU bed capacity remaining.

According to a CNN analysis, more than 27,000 cases have been confirmed in Florida’s 15 largest school districts since the start of the school year. At least 45,024 pupils and staff personnel have been quarantined or placed on “stay home” orders as a precaution against suspected viral infection.