HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — With the Delta variant impacting people across Florida and schools opening in less than a week, several members of Tampa Bay's legislative delegation met with Hillsborough County School Board members to talk about back-to-school plans and COVID-19 protocols.

The topic quickly turned to masks and Gov. Ron DeSantis' recent executive order requiring masks to be optional.

"It breaks my heart that this issue and public health has become so politiczed, because frankly I think that's the elephant in the room, that's what we're dealing with," said State Rep. Fentrice Driskell, (D) FL District 63.

Lawmakers, including State Sen. Darryl Rouson, said masks should be a decision left up to local school districts with no state interference.

"Choice works both ways. A parent should be able to chose to require their student to wear a mask and people who don't wear masks have a right not to be exposed to other students who might be carrying the virus," said Rouson, (D) FL District 19.

School board members said the governor's order indicates districts could lose state funding if they make masks mandatory.

"I feel like we're being threatened as a school board and as a district," said Henry "Shake" Washington. "If you don't do this, then you don't get any cookies."

Superintendent Addison Davis said he supports optional masks but he adds he would consider adjusting that depending on the situation once schools starts.

He also said he worries about the financial impact of ignoring the executive order.

"I just can't be willing to lose dollars," he said. "I mean, when you talk about it, it could be for 48 hours, could be for a week, a month. It's a lot of money that comes to our school district."

"We're concerned and I think it's just unconscionable for you to be in this position," said State Rep. Michelle Rayner, (D) FL District 19.

Davis said the district may get more information on Friday.

The State Board of Education will hold an emergency meeting to consider several new rules involving pupil attendance and Hope scholarships.

The state is considering offering students who attend schools requiring masks to use scholarships to attend private schools that don't have mask mandates.

Christina Pushaw, a spokeswoman for DeSantis  said rules are being finalized now. She said it's a collaboration between the Florida Department of Health and the Department of Education.

"We are finalizing health and education emergency rules this week that do not prohibit masks in schools but will require parents to have the right to opt their children out. School districts will be expected to allow parents to make this decision."