Pressure increases on school districts defying states' mask mandate bans

School districts defying some states' mask mandate bans are coming under increasing pressure even as the debate over the bans intensifies nationwide. Demonstrations for and against the prohibitions are becoming more and more frequent in and outside school board meetings where they're being considered as a way to try to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Florida Board of Education is threatening two school districts that are ignoring Republican Governor Ron DeSantis' ban on mask mandates. And Arizona Governor Doug Ducey upped the stakes Tuesday for the growing number of school districts defying his state's ban. Florida education board members voted unanimously Tuesday for Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran to enforce an executive order by DeSantis and a state rule by the Florida Department of Health that requires school districts to let parents to opt out of mask mandates. Based on the motions, school districts in Alachua and Broward counties could face possible loss of funding, removal of local officials and further action from the state Legislature.