Oklahoma A.G. may sue school districts if they impose mask mandates

Speaking to reporters following the Governor’s State of the State speech Thursday in Tulsa, Oklahoma Attorney General John O’Connor indicated that his office will probably have to sue school districts that defy state law and impose mask mandates.

Tulsa Public Schools on Thursday issued a notice to students and faculty that did not explicitly use the word ‘mandate,’ but said that “all staff will wear masks when inside our buildings.”

It goes on to say the only exception would be for people who have a “documented and approved medical exemption.”

It’s not clear who exactly would have to approve the exemption.

Similar language was used in reference to students, although it includes additional exceptions for students who have a “district-approved exemption based on the educational or social and emotional needs of the student.”

The policy, which the district refers to as “temporarily strengthened expectations,” would go into effect for staff on August 30th and for the students on September 7th.

TPS officials did not elaborate on what would happen if a staff member or a student continues to abstain from mask-wearing without getting an approved exemption.

SB 658, which prohibits mask mandates in schools, specifically refers to school boards.

That has led some school officials to argue that school superintendents could impose mask mandates without violating state law.

But State Representative Kevin West, who sponsored the bill, argues that school boards cannot delegate authority that they don’t legally have.

He says the intent of the law is to give the decision on mask-wearing to individual citizens, such as parents, only.

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