The Redmond School Board is fighting for local control over COVID-19 mask and vaccination rules. In a special school board meeting last night, board members voted 4-to-1 to hire the Thenell Law Group, a Portland-based law firm that specializes in insurance-related cases. Students and staff in Oregon K-12 schools are required to wear masks indoors, and all school staff is required to be vaccinated by Monday, October 18^th . The district already contracts with the High Desert Education Service District for attorney services, but the board has requested additional legal assistance for this case.