Lawsuit Seeks To Lift Mask Rules In Three Berrien County School Districts

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Three Berrien County school districts are named in a lawsuit that seeks to lift their mask mandates. The suit was filed January 21 by attorney James A. Thomas on behalf of five students and their parents. It names St. Joseph Public Schools, Lakeshore Public Schools, and Watervliet Public Schools along with their school boards and superintendents. Thomas tells us the superintendents don’t have the authority to unilaterally issue sweeping rules like mask mandates, and he believes the courts should have a say. He says such rules should be made by the Legislature. The lawsuit in the Berrien County Trail Court is before Judge Donna Howard and seeks a restraining order to lift the mask rules. Thomas says he’s hoping the courts will agree that the Constitution is being violated.