Brevard County

Brevard County School Board opts to keep mask mandate for now

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — During an emergency meeting on Tuesday, the Brevard County School Board voted to keep its mask mandate, despite warnings the policy violates state law.

However, the policy was modified to allow the superintendent to opt out of the mandate when community COVID-19 cases drop to 50 cases per 100,000 over a seven-day period.

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As of last Friday, the state Department of Health reported 126 cases per 100,000 population.

In a letter to the state school board, the state education commissioner said: “I find there is probable cause that the Brevard County School Board acted contrary to the law by requiring students to wear a mask or face covering unless certain exceptions apply, such as a medical certification.”

READ: ‘A major crisis’: Brevard County school board sends letter to DOE regarding mask mandate

A Florida Department of Health emergency rule requires an option to opt out at the sole discretion of parents.

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Sarah Wilson

Sarah Wilson, WFTV.com

Sarah Wilson joined WFTV Channel 9 in 2018 as a digital producer after working as an award-winning newspaper reporter for nearly a decade in various communities across Central Florida.