TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Attorneys representing the Florida Education Association and the state argued Friday about the safety of opening schools amid the coronavirus pandemic.
During the hearing, a judge denied the motion to dismiss a Florida Education Association lawsuit against Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state's department of education.
SPECIAL COVERAGE: Back to School
According to the lawsuit, the plaintiff seeks to give local districts the discretion to reopen physical school sites without the risk of losing funding.
A hearing for a temporary injunction is scheduled for Wednesday at 8:30.
In the meantime, attorneys representing both sides will begin a process of mediation starting on Monday. In July, the state issued an executive order requiring public schools to open this month.
The FEA is seeking a court declaration that the defendant’s mandate that schools physically reopen, goes against the state’s constitution, including the guarantee to provide a safe and secure public education system.