Bentonville School District Dr. Debbie Jones

Summary

The court held that the parents’ challenge to the District’s lapsed mask policy was technically moot but fell within the substantial-public-interest exception. On the merits relevant to the temporary restraining order, the court concluded that the policy had a substantial relation to protecting student health, was not a plain and palpable invasion of parental rights, was within the District’s authority, and did not cause irreparable harm. The court therefore reversed the temporary restraining order and remanded for further proceedings consistent with its opinion.