COVID-19 and school

Two districts revised mask mandates to allow parental opt-outs, but others aren't backing down. Education Commission Richard Corcoran has now suggested pulling funds equal to federal grants awarded to cover the penalties of noncompliant boards.

The Hillsborough County School Board voted to remove the medical opt-out clause and give parents the choice of whether their children wear masks.

Gov. Ron DeSantis tweeted Attorney General Merrick Garland is "weaponizing" the Department of Justice and said he will defend Floridians' rights to free speech over his decision to prevent mask mandates in schools.

The federal government continues to withhold one-third of the state’s allocation, which amounts to $2.3 billion.

As one of his first official acts, Dr. Joseph Ladapo signed off on a Department of Health rule change that effectively nullified mask mandate lawsuits filed by several school districts.

Sarasota Schools are not requiring masks right now.

A recent analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation revealed the pandemic has widened existing disparities in health and wellbeing as well as in academic performance between children of color and white children.

Florida's largest public school union is decrying the state's new ruling that students who are exposed to COVID-19 can stay in school unless they develop symptoms. But some schools might be tempted to bend the rule.

The Alachua County School District has received $148,000 from the Biden administration to make up for pay cuts.

State officials announced they would accept federal money to help low-income families get food for their children. Many people in the region, including Feeding Tampa Bay say there's a real need for help.

He estimates the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine may be available for children by November or December.

In their lawsuit, parents of disabled children contended that the executive order violated the Americans with Disabilities Act and other laws designed to protect the rights of students with disabilities.