Photo: CBS 12
School districts that had funds withheld after shirking the state's orders on mask mandates are now getting that money back.
Palm Beach County School Board Chairman Frank Barbieri confirms that $27,000 has been reimbursed. He hopes the issue is behind them.
"I would hope and think that the state just wants the public education to get on with educating our children and let's stop the political nonsense."
The state says it wasn't about politics, but giving parents the final decision when it came to their children wearing masks in school.
Many of those parents showed up at school board meetings, but Palm Beach is set on Wednesday to discuss limiting the amount of public speakers allowed at their future meetings.
While Barbieri brought up the "education" of children, studies have shown that students suffer a loss of learning when they and their teachers are forced to mask up.
The chairman still isn't apologizing for bucking the governor's orders and the rules of the state Board of Education, which have been backed up by an administrative law judge.
"We needed to do something to protect the children and the staff at our schools"
Seven other districts are also getting reimbursements, including Broward County which is set to get more than $500,000, according to reports.
The state's decision to return the funds comes as the U.S. Dept. of Education claims the state overstepped its authority by withholding those funds after the districts received federal grants to offset the punishment. An administrative law hearing was set for last week, but the federal government withdrew its complaint after learning the state was returning the money.
Still, a statement from a Florida Dept. of Education spokesman notes that "the purpose of withholding funds from school districts was to ensure that all school districts comply with the law. Our position has always been that we would release withheld funds once districts demonstrated compliance."
Jared Ochs adds: "We are glad that these districts have finally recognized that parents have the right to make personal and private health care and educational decisions for their children. The Department will continue to make sure those rights are protected."