Florida’s board of education could withhold pay from superintendents and school board members who mandate face masks in schools, according to a statement from Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office Monday, reports CBS Miami.

Why it matters: Florida is experiencing a spike in COVID-19 cases driven by the highly contagious Delta variant. Rising cases have triggered fierce debate around masking guidelines in schools.

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The big picture: Late last month DeSantis issued an executive order banning local school districts from requiring students to wear face masks at school.

What they’re saying: The statement from the governor’s office stated that failing to comply with the executive order would come with “financial consequences,” per CBS Miami.

• “For example, the State Board of Education could move to withhold the salary of the district superintendent or school board members, as a narrowly tailored means to address the decision-makers who led to the violation of law,” the statement read.

• “The Governor’s priorities are protecting parents’ rights and ensuring that every student has access to a high-quality education that meets their unique needs,” it adds.

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