Florida judge rules against DeSantis on school mask mandates

A Florida judge ruled Friday that Gov. Ron DeSantis’s administration overstepped its authority in restricting school districts from enacting mask mandates after parents sued officials amid a surge in coronavirus infections.

Judge John C. Cooper of Florida’s 2nd Circuit sided with parents from six Florida counties who challenged DeSantis, R, and state education officials in court this week, arguing that the governor’s order infringes on classroom safety guaranteed by the state’s constitution. Cooper declared that the state cannot require districts to offer voluntary mandates over “the preservation of general welfare,” comparing the masking issue to the difference between the right to drink alcohol and the criminality of drunken driving.

The injunction is expected to go into effect as early as next week and will bar the Education Department from punishing school districts for not complying with a Health Department rule requiring those with mask mandates to offer an opt out option. The ruling came after DeSantis ordered state policy revised to allow parents to choose whether they want their children to wear masks.