By Kevin Deutsch
The Broward County School Board on Tuesday lifted its COVID-19 mask mandate amid a sharp decrease in local infections but said it would “strongly encourage” all students, staff, visitors, and vendors to continue wearing face coverings to school.
The new policy goes into effect this Saturday, Nov. 20. A formal opt-out process will not be utilized, district officials said.
Broward public schools will also follow the Florida Department of Health guidelines for quarantining, officials said.
Tuesday’s decision follows the board’s Oct. 26 vote lifting of the mask mandate for high schools and technical colleges.
Tuesday’s mandate reversal was approved by school board members 7 to 1, with member Sarah Leonardi the only dissenting vote on the issue. Member Ann Murray was absent.
Send your news to Parkland’s #1 News Source, Parkland Talk.
Author Profile

- Kevin Deutsch is an award-winning journalist and author of two nonfiction books. He covers general assignment news and Jewish community issues for Talk Media. He has also worked as a staff writer at The Miami Times, the Rio Grande SUN, the New York Daily News, Newsday, The Miami Herald, The Palm Beach Post, The Riverdale Press, and Bronx Justice News.
Related
NewsAugust 19, 2026MSD Grad Sam Fisher Helps Israel Lacrosse Make History on World Stage
NewsAugust 10, 2026Bomb Threat Reported at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on First Day of School
NewsJune 24, 2026School Board Approves $14 Million Sale of Parkland Land to Broward Health
NewsMay 31, 2026Parkland Ranked Florida’s Best Place to Live, Cracks Top 15 Nationally


































