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While parents have been planning how they will defy their school's masking rules on Monday, Gov. Glenn Youngkin late Friday urged them to wait.
The governor’s executive order, which terminates the statewide health order requiring masks in K-12 schools, goes into effect Monday. Meanwhile, a lawsuit filed Tuesday in the Supreme Court of Virginia claims that the executive order is unconstitutional.
“I am confident that the Virginia Supreme Court will rule in the favor of parents, reaffirming the parental rights clearly laid out in the Virginia code § 1-240.1,” Youngkin said in a news release. “In the meantime, I urge all parents to listen to their principal, and trust the legal process.”
Attorney General Jason Miyares filed a motion on Thursday night to dismiss the lawsuit against Youngkin.
Henrico County Public Schools officials said Sunday night that their masking rules will remain in effect.
Several Henrico principals on Friday sent emails to families urging them to follow the masking rules.
Sen. Amanda Chase (R- Chesterfield) encouraged parents to have a “walk-in” at their child’s school on Monday by bringing in a copy of the governor’s executive order and “demand” that the school comply.
Youngkin's order states that parents may elect for their children not to be subject to any mask mandate in effect at the child’s school.
The lawsuit against Youngkin, which was launched by a group of parents, contends that the governor’s order clashes with a state law that requires schools to follow guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to the greatest extent practicable. CDC guidelines recommend using masks in school buildings.
Miyares, in his motion to dismiss the suit, wrote that the suit should be dismissed due to the petitioners lack standing because they were not injured and have not identified a clear right to relief.
