Judge Refuses to Dismiss Case by Parents of 15 who sued Gov. Ron DeSantis: Judge announces ruling

Nine families filed suit to prevent the enforcement of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ executive order that required the Florida Department of Education and the Florida Department of Health to provide a safe education while ensuring the right of parents to decide whether their kids should wear a mask. The families, on behalf of 15 children — are asking the Judge to declare the Executive Order unconstitutional and/or to issue an emergency injunction.

A Circuit Judge John Cooper has set a Zoom hearing for today - and this video shows the Judge issuing his ruling and denying the motion to dismiss.

The complaint filed August 6 names Gov. DeSantis, Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran, the Florida Department of Education and the Florida Board of Education as defendants.

The governor’s executive order prohibits school districts from enacting mask mandates and threatens to withhold funding from school leaders that do not give parents a chance to opt-out. Several Superintendents have issued such a mandate in spite of the Governor's executive order.

The plaintiffs are: Robin McCarthy, John McCarthy, Allison Scott, Lesley Abravanel, Magnus Andersson, Kristen Thompson, Amy Nell, Eren Dooley, Damaris Ellen, Patience Burke, Payton Donald, and Tracy Donald.