This article was written by Jeffrey S. Solochek of The Tampa Bay Times on October 18, 2021.

Florida’s school mask rules are scheduled to head back to court this week, as six districts are asking an administrative law judge to rule that the Department of Health didn’t properly implement its emergency rule banning mask mandates without opt-out provisions. Last time this subject was headed to the same judge, the department abruptly withdrew its rule and issued a new one. A similar scenario appears to be playing out again. Read on for the latest on that story and more Florida education news.

The Department of Health took steps late last week to render its emergency rule moot. It advertised a proposed long-term rule to ban strict mask mandates, which would replace the existing order, the News Service of Florida reports. Find the rule here.