State school districts that “willfully defy” COVID-19 health mandates are at risk of losing state funding, Chris Reykdal, state superintendent of public instruction, said Wednesday, but will be given at least two chances to comply, according to a report from the Seattle Times.
Reykdal reportedly filed an emergency rule which outlines how districts that fail to observe the measures will be penalized.
The penalties were announced in July.
In a notice sent to school districts, Reykdal reportedly said the health measures work and local school boards or superintendents are not at freedom to decide on any particular changes.
And based on research, Reykdal said both vaccination and masking have shown to be the best way to prevent the spread of the virus, bringing his emergency rule in line with the governor’s recent announcement.
On Aug. 18, Gov. Jay Inslee announced that all teachers would be required to be vaccinated and also expanded the statewide indoor mask mandate to include everyone, regardless of vaccination status.
Inslee said, “This virus is increasingly impacting young people, and those under the age of 12 still can’t get the vaccine for themselves. We won’t gamble with the health of our children, our educators and school staff, nor the health of the communities they serve.”
According to the Seattle Times, Reykdall said districts that disregarded the mask rule or did not provide a full-time in-person learning option would face an “immediate halt” to funding.
For districts or schools receiving state funding and found in violation of the new rule, they would get 15 days to show they were complying after receiving an initial notice and for a second notice, five days to correct the problem or funding could be withheld if it didn’t comply.
Once schools and districts are found to be back in compliance, funds would be restored.