President Joe Biden made separate calls to commend superintendents in Florida and Arizona for putting mask mandates in place despite statewide bans. That, according to White House officials.
On Friday, Biden spoke with Chad Gestson of the Phoenix Union High School District and Vickie Cartwright of the Broward County Public Schools. Both put mask requirements in place for students despite state bans.
A White House official reportedly said that Biden commended the leadership and courage of the superintendents to “do the right thing for the health and well-being of their students, teachers and schools.”
Three Florida districts have defied an executive order issued by Gov. Ron DeSantis. Ten districts in Arizona have defied a state law passed by the legislature and signed by Gov. Doug Ducey.
It is reported that Biden told Cartwright his administration is ready to support the districts and communities get back to safe, full-time, in-person learning. His administration also offered to pay the salaries of the board members who lost funds by requiring masks despite the order issued by Gov. DeSantis.
