State threatens school funding over COVID

OLYMPIA - State Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal threatened funding for schools not following COVID vaccination and mask mandates.

Reykdal filed an emergency rule on Aug. 25 listing penalties for districts ignoring the state mandates of students wearing masks in school and district employees being vaccinated.

The new order gives districts time to come into compliance if they are found in violation of the mandates. Districts failing compliance will get two notices and 20 days to meet the state mandates. If the district fails, funding can be withheld, according to Katy Payne, s...