BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — Brevard Public Schools on Tuesday voted 3-2 to extend its emergency mask mandate by another 30 days.
The mandate now allows the ability to remove masks when social distancing is possible.
In a 3-2 vote, Brevard Public Schools will extend its mask mandate by another 30 days. Now includes the ability to remove masks when social distancing (6' or more) is possible. @WFTV pic.twitter.com/Tden7FpI09
— Nick Papantonis WFTV (@NPapantonisWFTV) September 22, 2021
The 30-day policy was passed on Aug. 30. Now, the school board must decide if the mask requirement will be extended or allowed to expire.
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The meeting began at 5:30 p.m., but a crowd was beginning to build hours ahead of that.
Channel 9 saw at least one person being arrested after trying to push past deputies at the door ahead of the meeting.
Officials later confirmed that at least one person taken into custody before the meeting has been formally arrested.
Janice Crisp faces charges of interfering with school functions and trespassing on school grounds and refusing to leave. Crisp tried to enter the meeting without a mask.
Just pulled up to the Brevard meeting to find someone trying to push past deputies at the door. They aren't letting him in while he is screaming "America!" pic.twitter.com/Bly1CsoWNX
— Nick Papantonis WFTV (@NPapantonisWFTV) September 21, 2021
READ: ‘A major crisis’: Brevard County school board sends letter to DOE regarding mask mandate
The mask mandate previously stated that, with few exceptions, students and staff are required to wear a face covering while indoors on school district property.
Photos: Parents line up for Brevard Public Schools mask meeting
School board chairwoman Misty Belford said since Aug. 30, the school district has seen a 77% decrease in reported cases.
READ: Dozens gather to protest Brevard County Schools’ mask mandate
Earlier this month, the Florida Department of Education demanded the district show that its mask mandate was in compliance with a Florida Department of Health emergency rule, which states that any mandated mask policy imposed by a district or school must allow for a parent or guardian to opt out and does not require parents to submit medical documentation.
The state’s warning letter also referenced Florida’s parents’ bill of rights and a pending court case.
READ: Brevard School Board votes to reinstate mask mandate
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