Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a press conference. Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty ImagesBroward County School Board members voted 8-1 Tuesday in favor of keeping the school's mask mandate.School board members voted against Gov. Ron DeSantis has banned school mask mandates.He threatened to withhold any pay from school board members who enforce mandates against his orders.Check out more stories from Insider's business page.Governor. Ron DeSantis told Gov.Eight out of nine Broward County School Board members voted to maintain the school district's mandate for masks for students and staff, despite Florida Governor. Ron DeSantis tried to stop schools from doing this. WSVN reported that the board also hired outside legal counsel to challenge DeSantis executive orders.During Tuesday's meeting, Nora Rupert, a board member, stated that "Standing up to our students and families is part our job." "Being afraid we're losing our job – be removed from office and fined, lose your salary - bring it. It's important to bring it. It makes me more productive for my school and our families when I can put it out there.Republican DeSantis threatened this week to withhold school officials' salaries if they enact mask regulations.He had signed an executive order at the end July prohibiting mask mandates in Florida schools. DeSantis stated that schools could lose state funds if they imposed mandatory masks.Insider was told by a spokesperson for DeSantis that the Broward mask policy is similar to the one of Leon and Alachua. This is to say that it violates Governor's executive order to allow parents to choose the best for their children's future."Continue the storyOn Tuesday, DeSantis's office pointed to letters Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran had sent Monday to Leon and Alachua school leaders. Corcoran threatened to withhold funding if they didn't comply with the state order.Hatzel Vela, Local10 reporter, reported that all nine board members spoke out against DeSantis’ actions at the meeting. Vela reported that one board member claimed DeSantis' actions were "dictatorial."According to WSVN, demonstrators voted in support and against masking requirements clashed outside Tuesday's school board meeting.To deal with the evolving realities of virus transmission, it is necessary to wear masks in schools, regardless of vaccination status. According to Local10, it is necessary for children under 12 years old to receive COVID-19 vaccines and for more Americans over 12 years of age to get vaccinated." Broward Teachers Union President Anna Fusco stated in a statement."We remain concerned about this variant but our No. She added that the number one priority is a safe school year for in-person students in schools that are open."The American Academy of Pediatrics and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have advised all K-12 students to wear a mask indoors regardless of whether they are vaccinated.Students from Broward County Schools will be able to return to school on August 18 for their classes.Business Insider has the original article.
