Miami-Dade Superintendent Alberto Carvalho: Appeals court’s ruling in favor of mask mandate ban ‘contrary to’ medical experts’ advice

Miami, Florida – On Sunday “Face the Nation,” Miami-Dade Superintendent Alberto Carvalho addressed the ruling from an appeals court in Tallahassee that sided with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who supports letting parents decide whether or not their children should wear masks at school.

“Look, I’m the superintendent of a district that has lost 13 employees since Aug. 16th,” said Carvalho.

The new ruling, effective Monday, reinstates the governor’s ban on making masks in class a requirement and reversed a previous court ruling in favor of in-class mask mandates.

“I believe that the recent actions taken in Tallahassee are contrary to the expert advice of public health and medical entities,” said Carvalho

DeSantis shared the legal win on Twitter, applauding the court for “restoring parents’ right to choose.”

But now the question is, will any of the 13 school districts currently defying the governor’s order change course?

In Broward County, the answer is no.

“We will continue to implement our current face-covering policy. Our school board will continue to review that policy in an upcoming meeting because the decision is based on the moment of now,” said Broward County Public Schools Interim Superintendent Dr. Vickie Cartwright.

The state could impose salary cuts for school board leaders, as it has threatened for weeks.

President Joe Biden has directed the U.S. Department of Education to create a grant program for schools that lose money for maintaining mask requirements.

“I am concerned for our kids. They are being used as political pawns in this political chess game, and that is reprehensible,” said Carvalho.

According to the Department of Education, they launched an investigation as to whether banning masks in schools is discriminatory for students with disabilities or other health concerns.