Republican Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin is going through authorized challenges over his government order, considered one of his first acts after being sworn in on January 15.

The chief order aimed to let dad and mom choose out of college masks mandates and happened January 24, in keeping with the Related Press. Confusion now surrounds the order, as some districts interpret the order as pushing again on a Virginia state legislation that offers with COVID-19 mandates in colleges.

Youngkin faces authorized challenges as dad and mom filed a petition final week and 7 college boards filed a lawsuit on January 24.

"The governor and lawyer basic are in coordination and are dedicated to aggressively defending the dad and mom' elementary proper to make choices with regard to their kid's upbringing, schooling and care, because the authorized course of performs out," Macaulay Porter, Youngkin spokesperson, mentioned in an announcement to the AP.

The seven districts in search of authorized problem are Alexandria, Arlington County, Fairfax, Falls Church, Hampton, Prince William County and Richmond. They characterize 350,000 college students collectively. The lawsuit argues the state structure provides native college boards authority to run their districts, in keeping with the AP. There may be additionally a state legislation requiring colleges to comply with federal well being tips, which incorporates common masking.

Fairfax County Public Colleges Superintendent Scott Brabrand hopes the lawsuit from colleges will enable a swift decision and believes a masks mandate is a vital public well being measure.

"It's crucial that choices about schooling and college security are made domestically so as to champion one of the best pursuits of our college students and group," he mentioned.

In a press launch Monday, in keeping with Fox Information, the varsity boards mentioned, "This authorized motion facilities on elementary questions concerning the framework of public schooling in Virginia, as set out within the Virginia Structure and by the Basic Meeting. As we speak's actions aren't politically motivated. These seven college divisions would welcome the chance to collaborate with the governor to make sure the protection and welfare of all college students."

The lawsuit additionally states, "At subject is whether or not locally-elected college boards will keep the unique authority and accountability conferred upon them by Article VIII, Part 7 of the Structure of Virginia to oversee the general public colleges of their respective college divisions or whether or not the Governor can unilaterally infringe upon that authority via an government order."

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin provides the inaugural handle after being sworn in because the 74th governor of Virginia on the steps of the State Capitol on January 15, 2022, in Richmond, Virginia. Youngkin, who as soon as served as co-CEO of the personal fairness agency The Carlyle Group, is the primary Republican Governor elected to control the Virginian commonwealth since 2009.Anna Moneymaker/Getty Photographs

The Virginia Supreme Courtroom took no motion with the dad and mom' petition final week, and it's unclear if they are going to with the varsity district lawsuit.

"Youngkin is rapidly on his method to changing into probably the most divisive and authoritarian governor in our commonwealth's lengthy historical past," mentioned Senator Mamie Locke at a information convention.

Virginia, as of January 24, has seen almost 1.06 million confirmed COVID-19 circumstances and greater than 13,000 confirmed COVID deaths, the vast majority of which have been reported in Fairfax County, in keeping with the Virginia Division of Well being. There have been 535 million vaccination doses given, with 13.9 million of the Virginia inhabitants totally vaccinated, in keeping with the Virginia Division of Well being.