(Providence, RI) -- The push is on for a statewide mask mandate in Rhode Island schools. The Council on Elementary and Secondary Education voted Tuesday night to have the Department of Ed reject any back-to-school plan submitted by a district that has not mandated masks. An attorney for the education department told the council it did not have the authority to mandate masks and said the decision could result in legal action from uncooperative districts.
On Tuesday Governor Dan McKee said about 80% of Rhode Island students are already under a requirement to wear masks at this point. McKee said his administration would work with the remaining districts to follow suit.
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