The court’s ruling means the state is now able to go after schools financially that decide to impose mask mandates.

A spokesman for DeSantis, a Republican, quickly hailed the decision on Twitter.

“1st District Court of Appeals just granted the State of Florida’s request to reinstate the stay — meaning, the rule requiring ALL Florida school districts to protect parents’ rights to make choices about masking kids is BACK in effect!” DeSantis spokesperson Christina Pushaw said on Twitter Friday.