“Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran withheld the salaries of all Leon County School Board members Friday, even though the district walked back its COVID-induced mask rule this week. In a letter to the district, Corcoran said that even though parents have the ultimate authority on whether their child wears a mask to school under the new local policy, it also requires asymptomatic children to wear a mask if they wish to return to school during the seven-day quarantine period. That, he said, does not comply with the state’s own new emergency rule.”

“The Florida Department of Education will withhold the members’ salaries every month until they comply with the emergency rule, which is dated Oct. 12. Members make about $40,000 a year, so the department is withholding about $17,000 altogether each month. On Facebook, board member Alva Striplin posted a photo of Corcoran’s letter and wrote, ‘Lost my salary today.’ Striplin, who has been critical of the district mandate and has urged the superintendent to come into compliance, added she would ‘focus on the good! Rates are down in our community significantly, our schools are open, and our children are learning and laughing in-person with their friends. ‘Thank you to our entire community for your patience with us during this time.’ In Tuesday’s school board meeting, Superintendent Rocky Hanna was prescient, warning board members that reverting to a parental opt-out wouldn’t be enough for Corcoran to find the district in compliance. The district will have more information on Monday, said spokesperson Chris Petley” – Tallahasee.com.