Despite a recent plea from the state teacher's union, the Nebraska State Board of Education will not be mandating masks in schools.

The NSEA petitioned the State Board in November for a declaratory order to require all students and staff to wear masks in Nebraska schools. The board is declining the request, saying that it doesn't have the authority by law to issue such health mandates.

The board believes that local school districts have the power to require masks in their schools, and the Department of Health and Human Services also has the ability to issue DHMs that could require masks in schools.