Arkansas Supreme Court Reverses Mask Mandate Ban on Schools

The Arkansas Supreme Court on Thursday reversed a judge’s decision to block a school district’s mask mandate that was implemented to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Justices reversed the temporary restraining order issued against the Bentonville School District’s mask requirement. Bentonville was among dozens of districts that imposed a mask requirement last year after a state law banning such mandates was blocked in a separate case. A group of parents had sued challenging the mandate.

The court said that Arkansas’ laws give schools broad authority to determine their policies.

“Based on this precedent, we conclude that the district properly authorized its policy,” Chief Justice Dan Kemp wrote in the court’s ruling.

A spokeswoman said the district has no plans to reinstate the mask requirement at this time.

(From KTLO, Associated Press)