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Orange County school board to sue over K-12 mask mandate

The Orange County Board of Education voted 4-0 in a closed session Tuesday in favor of filing a lawsuit against the governor over the coronavirus mandate.

Credit: AP

FILE — In this Feb. 25, 2021 file photo students are dropped off at Newhall Elementary School in Santa Clarita, Calif. California health officials announced new coronavirus rules for public schools on Monday July 12, 2021. The new rules eliminate physical distancing while making sure no one will miss class time even if they are exposed to someone with the virus. But the state would continue to require all students and staff to wear masks indoors. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)

COSTA MESA, Calif. — A Southern California school board has announced plans to sue Gov. Gavin Newsom over a state mandate requiring K-12 students to wear masks in classrooms.

The Orange County Board of Education voted 4-0 in a closed session Tuesday in favor of filing a lawsuit against the governor over the coronavirus mandate.

The Orange County Register reports that the board says face coverings are harmful to children and the governor is abusing his power. Last August, the same school board sued Newsom to reopen schools that had been closed due to COVID-19.

A petition went to the state Supreme Court asking it to review the case but was ultimately denied.

Read the full story from the Associated Press.

Read more from ABC10

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