Brevard Public Schools face tight deadline to show state its mask mandate is in compliance

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By Mel Holt and Adam Poulisse

BREVARD COUNTY, FLA. — Brevard Public Schools’ recently adopted 30-day mask mandate has already sparked protests.

Late Friday, the Florida Department of Education sent a letter to Superintendent Mark Mullins and School Board Chair Misty Belford.

The letter references a Florida Department of Health Emergency rule and states any mandated mask policy imposed by a district or school must allow for a parent or guardian to opt out. It also does not require parents to submit medical documentation.

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Read: Dozens gather to protest Brevard County Schools’ mask mandate

The deadline to provide a response on how the district is in compliance is Wednesday.

Belford said she believes the Department of Education will find that Brevard Public Schools is in compliance.

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She said the school district has about seven different exemptions in the policy, including medical and mental health exemptions.

But Rep. Randy Fine said he still believes the district is violating parents’ rights.

Read: Brevard County schools report more than 3,500 COVID-19 cases since the start of the school year

Parents line up for Brevard Public Schools mask meeting he Brevard Public Schools meeting will take place Monday, Aug. 30, at the School Board building at 2700 Judge Fran Jamieson Way in Viera at 10 a.m. (WFTV)

Parents line up for Brevard Public Schools mask meeting Parents both for and against mask mandates line up outside Monday's scheduled special meeting. (WFTV)

Parents line up for Brevard Public Schools mask meeting The -Brevard school district scheduled the meeting after a Leon County judge ruled Gov DeSantis' mask ban unconstitutional. (WFTV)

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