The Times Australia
The Times World News

.
The Times Real Estate

.

Who has the power to say kids do or don't have to wear masks in school – the governor or the school district? It's not clear

  • Written by Jennifer Selin, Kinder Institute Assistant Professor of Constitutional Democracy, University of Missouri-Columbia

Legal battles over masks in schools are being fought across the country, including in Arkansas[1], California[2], Florida[3], Kentucky[4], Michigan[5], Oklahoma[6], Nevada[7] and Texas[8].

Rather than clarifying policy, these legal challenges have led to more confusion.

As a new school year begins and COVID-19 hospitalizations rise across the country, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[9] and the American Academy of Pediatrics[10] recommend that students wear masks in school to help slow the spread of the coronavirus.

This guidance, and schools’ responses to it, has resulted in an intense debate. Some parents argue that they should be able to decide when and where their children wear masks, whereas others argue collective health and safety concerns take priority over individual choices. These arguments fall sharply along partisan lines[11], with 88% of Democrats supporting mask mandates and 69% of Republicans against the requirements.

State rules reflect this division. In eight states[12], as of Aug. 16, 2021, laws were enacted or governors issued orders banning public schools from requiring students to wear masks. On the opposite side of the debate, 12 states and the District of Columbia[13] are requiring students to wear masks indoors.

Further complicating matters, some school districts have acted in outright defiance[14] of their states’ regulations. These conflicts pose one key question: Who has the power to control the health and safety measures schools take – state leaders or local officials?

On Aug. 11, 2021, anti-mask demonstrators gathered outside a school board meeting in Williamson County, Tenn., after a vote passed requiring masks in elementary classrooms.

Competing policies

Texas provides a good example of this conflict. Even after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order[15] banning school mask mandates, local officials[16] in several school districts adopted policies that required students to wear masks.

Simultaneous legal battles[17] across multiple state court districts ensued and resulted in inconsistent rulings on whether banning masks in schools is constitutional.

On Aug. 15, the Texas Supreme Court weighed in[18], siding with the governor and saying that schools cannot require masks. Yet some schools still do, defying both the governor and the state’s highest court.

With all of the partisan rhetoric, lawsuits and conflict, many parents are left bewildered[19] about how to proceed with the school year.

This is not the first time legal battles have erupted in the wake of a public health emergency. During the influenza pandemic of 1918, state and local governments enacted a variety of restrictions[20] to combat the spread of the virus. As they must now, officials had to make hard decisions about whether to close schools[21] or prevent public gatherings. Mask mandates[22] even existed in some areas[23]. State and local judges routinely upheld these measures.

Many of the same constitutional questions[24] debated over 100 years ago[25] arise today about mask mandates and other pandemic-related regulations.

Civil liberties vs. public health

Long-standing U.S. Supreme Court precedent[26] recognizes that states have broad powers to regulate the health and safety of their citizens during a public health crisis.

But no right is absolute. When evaluating a state’s actions in a pandemic, courts weigh the government’s interest in protecting the health and safety of its citizens against an individual’s civil liberties.

Common challenges[27] against COVID-19-related regulations argue that some requirements violate the First Amendment or an individual’s right to liberty, including the right to make choices about one’s own health.

Over the past year, the challenges that have been most successful in the courts argued that certain COVID-19 rules violated the First Amendment right to freely exercise one’s religion.

For example, the U.S. Supreme Court recently blocked[28] the state of California from enforcing COVID-19 restrictions on an at-home Bible study group and prevented[29] New York state from enforcing occupancy limits on religious services.

But with respect to mask mandates, legal precedent supporting similar challenges is not as strong.

For example, in Maryland, a federal district court recently suggested in a decision[30] that litigants were unlikely to succeed with claims that challenged mask mandates as unconstitutional violations of the First Amendment.

Arguments that mask mandates violate an individual’s constitutional right to liberty – defined by a leading legal resource[31] as “freedom from arbitrary and unreasonable restraint upon an individual” – face an even greater uphill battle. Courts have interpreted the Constitution as giving elected officials leeway[32] when it comes to social policy, particularly in areas “fraught with medical and scientific uncertainties.”

This does not bode well for challenges like one recently filed[33] in Nevada, which claims mask mandates infringe upon the fundamental right of parents to make child-rearing decisions.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in a black jacket with a mask pushed below his mouth. In Florida, lawsuits are challenging the executive order banning school mask mandates issued by Gov. Ron DeSantis, above. Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images[34]

More mandates, please

On the other side of the debate, in some states litigants have gone to court to advocate for more stringent COVID-19 regulations.

In Florida, two different lawsuits[35] seek to overturn the governor’s ban on school mask requirements. They claim that the Florida Constitution guarantees a safe school environment and grants local governments the authority to govern schools.

Some of the more successful lawsuits have focused on the fact that, by law, most states can regulate mask wearing in only public schools. This means that state laws and orders that ban mask requirements do not extend to private schools. In Arizona[36], Arkansas[37] and Oklahoma[38], lawsuits claim that this creates unconstitutional distinctions between public and private students’ rights to a safe educational environment – and therefore, they say, the state cannot ban mask mandates in schools at all.

Unanswered questions

All of this fighting within and among the states led the Biden administration to step into the fray. While the federal government cannot constitutionally command[39] the states to do something, it can create incentives for them with money.

In response to the governors’ orders in Florida[40] and Texas[41] that prohibit mask mandates in schools, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona reminded both states’[42] governors[43] that federal CDC guidance recommends students wear masks. Cardona also suggested that the Biden administration would closely monitor[44] whether the states were meeting requirements[45] for federal relief funding under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. That law requires states to adhere to CDC guidance[46], including implementing mitigation strategies such as contact tracing or mask requirements, in order to receive the federal money the act provides.

President Joe Biden followed up[47] Cardona’s letters to the governors with a phone call of support to one of the superintendents who adopted mask mandates in violation of his governor’s executive order.

If it all sounds confusing and as if the law is all over the place regarding school mask mandates, that’s because it is. The nation’s schools are subject to a complex web of local, state and federal laws that make it difficult to impose uniform standards.

Add in an intense political battle[48] over the appropriate policies to adopt in the wake of the delta variant and you have precisely the kind of situation that may well end up at the U.S. Supreme Court.

References

  1. ^ Arkansas (www.usnews.com)
  2. ^ California (www.newsweek.com)
  3. ^ Florida (www.tampabay.com)
  4. ^ Kentucky (www.kentucky.com)
  5. ^ Michigan (www.reuters.com)
  6. ^ Oklahoma (thehill.com)
  7. ^ Nevada (www.reviewjournal.com)
  8. ^ Texas (www.dallasnews.com)
  9. ^ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov)
  10. ^ American Academy of Pediatrics (www.aap.org)
  11. ^ sharply along partisan lines (www.kff.org)
  12. ^ eight states (www.latimes.com)
  13. ^ 12 states and the District of Columbia (www.bloomberg.com)
  14. ^ outright defiance (www.forbes.com)
  15. ^ executive order (gov.texas.gov)
  16. ^ local officials (www.texastribune.org)
  17. ^ Simultaneous legal battles (www.texastribune.org)
  18. ^ weighed in (www.tpr.org)
  19. ^ left bewildered (www.nytimes.com)
  20. ^ variety of restrictions (www.theatlantic.com)
  21. ^ whether to close schools (theconversation.com)
  22. ^ Mask mandates (www.acslaw.org)
  23. ^ in some areas (theconversation.com)
  24. ^ constitutional questions (constitutioncenter.org)
  25. ^ debated over 100 years ago (theconversation.com)
  26. ^ U.S. Supreme Court precedent (supreme.justia.com)
  27. ^ Common challenges (theconversation.com)
  28. ^ blocked (supreme.justia.com)
  29. ^ prevented (supreme.justia.com)
  30. ^ suggested in a decision (casetext.com)
  31. ^ defined by a leading legal resource (www.law.cornell.edu)
  32. ^ giving elected officials leeway (supreme.justia.com)
  33. ^ recently filed (abcnews.go.com)
  34. ^ Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images (www.gettyimages.com)
  35. ^ two different lawsuits (www.cnn.com)
  36. ^ Arizona (azednews.com)
  37. ^ Arkansas (apnews.com)
  38. ^ Oklahoma (www.oklahoman.com)
  39. ^ cannot constitutionally command (supreme.justia.com)
  40. ^ Florida (www.flgov.com)
  41. ^ Texas (gov.texas.gov)
  42. ^ both states’ (oese.ed.gov)
  43. ^ governors (oese.ed.gov)
  44. ^ closely monitor (www.nytimes.com)
  45. ^ requirements (oese.ed.gov)
  46. ^ That law requires states to adhere to CDC guidance (www.dallasnews.com)
  47. ^ followed up (www.seattletimes.com)
  48. ^ intense political battle (www.cnn.com)

Read more https://theconversation.com/who-has-the-power-to-say-kids-do-or-dont-have-to-wear-masks-in-school-the-governor-or-the-school-district-its-not-clear-166128

The Times Features

The Hidden Dangers of Blocked Drains and the Ultimate Solution for a Hassle-Free Home

Drain blockages are a big hassle to every homeowner and business owner alike. Whether it is a sink in the kitchen or bathroom, a clogged toilet, or a foul smell circulating aroun...

Understanding the Dangers of Ignoring a Gas Leak

Gas leaks are silent threats lurking within both homes and workplaces. A gas leak occurs when natural gas or any other gaseous substance escapes from a pipeline or containment. T...

Can You Sell Your House Privately in Queensland? Here’s How

Selling a house privately in Queensland is entirely possible and can be a cost-effective alternative to using a real estate agent. While agents provide valuable expertise, their co...

Itinerary to Maximize Your Two-Week Adventure in Vietnam and Cambodia

Two weeks may not seem like much, but it’s just the right time for travelers to explore the best of Vietnam and Cambodia. From the bustling streets of Hanoi to the magnificent te...

How to Protect Your Garden Trees from Wind Damage in Australia

In Australia's expansive landscape, garden trees hold noteworthy significance. They not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of our homes but also play an integral role in the local...

Brisbane Homeowners Warned: Non-Compliant Flexible Hoses Pose High Flood Risk

As a homeowner in Brisbane, when you think of the potential for flood damage to your home, you probably think of weather events. But you should know that there may be a tickin...

Times Magazine

"Eternal Nurture" by Cara Barilla: A Timeless Collection of Wisdom and Healing

Renowned Sydney-born author and educator Cara Barilla has released her latest book, Eternal Nurture, a profound collection of inspirational quotes designed to support mindfulness, emotional healing, and personal growth. With a deep commitment to ...

How AI-Driven SEO Enhancements Can Improve Headless CMS Content Visibility

Whereas SEO (search engine optimization) is critical in the digital landscape for making connections to content, much of it is still done manually keyword research, metatags, final tweaks at publication requiring a human element that takes extensiv...

Crypto Expert John Fenga Reveals How Blockchain is Revolutionising Charity

One of the most persistent challenges in the charity sector is trust. Donors often wonder whether their contributions are being used effectively or if overhead costs consume a significant portion. Traditional fundraising methods can be opaque, with...

Navigating Parenting Arrangements in Australia: A Legal Guide for Parents

Understanding Parenting Arrangements in Australia. Child custody disputes are often one of the most emotionally charged aspects of separation or divorce. Parents naturally want what is best for their children, but the legal process of determining ...

Blocky Adventures: A Minecraft Movie Celebration for Your Wrist

The Minecraft movie is almost here—and it’s time to get excited! With the film set to hit theaters on April 4, 2025, fans have a brand-new reason to celebrate. To honor the upcoming blockbuster, watchfaces.co has released a special Minecraft-inspir...

The Ultimate Guide to Apple Watch Faces & Trending Wallpapers

In today’s digital world, personalization is everything. Your smartwatch isn’t just a timepiece—it’s an extension of your style. Thanks to innovative third-party developers, customizing your Apple Watch has reached new heights with stunning designs...

LayBy Shopping