By Stephen Diener

The start of the 2021-2022 school year is right around the corner and one thing that has remained a point of contention has been the discussion surrounding mask wearing for children.

Just recently, Governor DeSantis signed an executive order that said schools could not force kids to wear masks and that the decision would be left up to the parents. It seems though that Michael Burke, the interim Superintendent for Palm Beach County has found a way around that rule in what feels like a mandate to avoid liability.

According to the school board, all faculty and students will be required to wear a mask starting Tuesday for the first day of school…unless that is, you choose not to.

The county rule leaves open a loophole that says students will be exempt from mask wearing if their parent or guardian gives a hand written note to their first period teacher that says they are opting out of the rule.

To reiterate, this new county rule only establishes a framework for mask wearing, but you can still opt your child out of the rule with a handwritten note if you choose to do so. Essentially, the Governor’s executive order stays in place while allowing PBC to pave their own way.