DeSantis threatens salaries of superintendents, school board members who support masking

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Florida's board of education could withhold pay from superintendents and school board members who mandate face masks in schools, according to a statement from Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis' office Monday, reports CBS Miami.
Why it matters: Florida is experiencing a spike in COVID-19 cases driven by the highly contagious Delta variant. Rising cases have triggered fierce debate around masking guidelines in schools.
The big picture: Late last month DeSantis issued an executive order banning local school districts from requiring students to wear face masks at school.
- Florida's second-largest school district subsequently reversed its mask mandate due to the executive order's funding threat for districts that defy the order.
- Florida parents have filed legal challenges to DeSantis' executive order.
What they're saying: The statement from the governor's office stated that failing to comply with the executive order would come with "financial consequences," per CBS Miami.
- "For example, the State Board of Education could move to withhold the salary of the district superintendent or school board members, as a narrowly tailored means to address the decision-makers who led to the violation of law," the statement read.
- "The Governor’s priorities are protecting parents’ rights and ensuring that every student has access to a high-quality education that meets their unique needs," it adds.