R.I. education board’s vote means school mask mandates

THE R.I. COUNCIL on Elementary and Secondary Education has voted to reject any district's back-to-school plans that don’t include mask mandates. Above, Students wearing protective masks walk past a "Welcome Back" sign before the first day of school at Sessums Elementary School in Riverview, Fla. AP FILE PHOTO/CHRIS O'MEARA

PROVIDENCE (AP) Rhode Island’s education council has voted to reject any district’s back-to-school plans that don’t include mask mandates, essentially requiring face coverings for all K-12 students this fall, despite being told by a state Education Department lawyer that it did not have the authority to do so.

After the R.I. Council on Elementary and Secondary Education made its unanimous decision during a meeting Tuesday night, Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green said she will follow the directive, WPRI-TV reported.

“They’re my bosses; yes, I have to follow the council’s direction,” she said. “Basically, what was said tonight is we will take our chances with any lawsuits that may happen.”

The decision comes as the delta variant is being blamed on another wave of coronavirus cases across the state.

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Department of Education lawyer Anthony Cottone told the council before the vote that it does not have the authority to mandate masks in school districts statewide. Only the legislature by statute or the governor through executive order can do so, he said.

Democratic Gov. Dan McKee has recommended masks for schoolchildren but has resisted issuing a mask mandate, saying the issue should be left up to school districts. Many districts have already issued mask requirements.

A Department of Education spokesperson said of the school districts that have filed fall safety plans with department, 80% have a universal masking policy.

“The administration continues to believe that the best way to get all districts to mask up and enforce those policies is to work directly with them to address concerns and support them in preparing the safest environment possible for our kids,” McKee spokesperson Matt Sheaff told the station after the council’s vote.

State Rep. Brian Newberry, a North Smithfield Republican, called the council’s decision “an outrage” in a tweet after the vote.

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  1. Well intentioned or not, it’s getting out of control with all this unchecked “power” by entities taking action that is advised as being unlawful….craziness. For those who cherish democracy i do hope parents continue to fight this and do indeed bring a lawsuit. It’s lunacy.

    In the meantime, i would hope those (especially members of this Council) who are adamant about children wearing facemasks for 8 hours a day in a building without A/C are just as adamant about wearing one themselves for the same amount of time and under the exact same conditions in their jobs, homes and private businesses, regardless of their vax status, just as the children and vaccinated teachers will be required to do everyday