Florida Teachers Win Court Ruling In Back-To-School Challenge

TALLAHASSEE, FL — A Florida judge granted a temporary injunction Monday setting aside portions of an order requiring Florida school districts to reopen "brick-and-mortar" schools under the threat of losing state funding.

"School districts that have opened certainly, if they are operating in a manner that is safe and secure, should continue to do so," an attorney for the 150,000 strong Florida Education Association told reporters Monday.

'If they have misgivings — that they felt they were rushed into reopening when it was unsafe — they should revisit those decisions, and this court has given them the power to do just that," the attorney said.

Monday's ruling by Leon County Circuit Judge Charles Dodson was in response to a lawsuit filed last month by the Florida Education Association that challenged a back-t0-school order by Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran.

See related:

• Florida Teachers Challenge School Reopening In Lawsuit
• Teachers File Suit Over Concerns About Reopening Florida Schools

Corcoran directed all "brick-and-mortar schools" to reopen in August, but he also gave school districts flexibility to use what his order described as "innovative teaching methods" to educate children. Florida's two largest school districts, Miami-Dade and Broward, subsequently opted to open with 100 percent remote learning, but a number of other districts have reopened brick-and-mortar schools.

"You lost today Mr. Commissioner and Mr. Governor because you're wrong," insisted FEA President Fedrick C. Ingram. "Do not spend taxpayer's money trying to appeal this case. We're asking you let's work together. Let's be guided by science. This is not a win where we go and hang our hat and beat our chest. People are dying in our state."

Association officials said Monday that about 50,000 children under age 18 in Florida have already been diagnosed with the coronavirus.

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Corcoran's back-to-school order stated: "Upon reopening in August, all school boards and charter school governing boards must open brick-and-mortar schools at least five days per week for all students, subject to advice and orders of the Florida Department of Health, local departments of health, Executive Order 20-149 and subsequent executive orders."

Ingram, a band director in Miami-Dade County, previously called Corcoran's order "reckless" and "unconscionable." Several teachers and parents were named as plaintiffs in the lawsuit.

It was not immediately clear if state officials planned to appeal the judge's ruling, but such an appeal would be filed in the Florida 1st District Court of Appeal. An appeal by the state would automatically trigger a stay of Judge Dodson's order.