School Board Votes To Let TPS Pursue Legal Options Over Mask Mandate Ban

The Tulsa Public Schools Board of Education voted Aug. 11 to let the district consider legal action over a recent law that makes it illegal for schools to require students to wear masks unless there is a state of emergency declared.

Board members also said the district has been notified some parents plan to sue TPS for not requiring masks.

Board members said most families want a mask mandate for the district, but everyone's hands are tied because of the recent law. Now, the district will be ready for any possible lawsuits.

There were some cheers and clapping after board members voted.

The board voted to allow TPS attorneys to evaluate all options about schools not being allowed to have a mask mandate unless there is a state of emergency declared.

Board President Stacey Woolley told News On 6 the motion empowers the district’s attorneys to see what comes next.

“Whether if something is filled against us, they'll be prepared to start working on that case, and they also need to be aware of any legal action that's taking place across the state with other school districts,” said Woolley.

That means possibly joining a district in a lawsuit against the state.

At the same time, the district has a formal notice of a lawsuit from some parents against TPS for not requiring masks.

"I understand where the parents are coming from as far as you know, they send their kids to school to be safe, and we expect to keep them safe as well, so I guess they're thinking it's easier to start locally and then see where they need to go from there," said Woolley.

Board member John Croisant said the board believes the district should be able to have options about masks, just as families do.

"With open transferring and different opportunities if they don't like that there's a mask mandate or if they don't like how a school district is, there are choices for parents,” said Croisant.

TPS' first day of school is next Thursday.

Board members aren't sure they'll be able to do anything that quickly about the mask mandate ban, but they are working as fast as possible.