A judge on Friday dismissed a challenge to Florida’s ban on mask mandates in schools, siding with the state of Florida. The challenge was filed by officials from six school districts—Alachua, Broward, Duval, Miami-Dade, Orange, and Leon counties. They were among eight school boards that were dealt penalties after adopting masks mandates. Specifically, the Florida government started to deduct an amount equal to a month’s pay from school board members in the counties. The state also withheld overall funding to Alachua and Broward counties. Tallahassee Deputy Chief Judge Brian Newman rejected the suit, writing in the ruling (pdf) that school officials failed to prove the mask mandate ban “is an invalid exercise of delegated legislative authority.” He said the school boards “failed to prove that the emergency rule opt-out provisions facilitate the spread of COVID-19 in schools.” The judge also said the Florida Department of Health has lawful authority to govern …