Good Morning WG Families and Caregivers:
Over the last few hours, a lot of information has been disseminated via the news and social media on the topic of masking in schools. Regardless of where you stand on this issue, I ask that you continue to be patient, respectful and understanding as we navigate another
challenge in what has been an extremely complicated and polarizing school year.
Background:
Yesterday (1.24.22), the Supreme Court of Nassau County ruled that the mask mandate imposed by the New York State Department of Health is unconstitutional. This is the opposite of a recent ruling in the Albany County Supreme court which upheld the mask mandate.
Response from New York State:
Governor Hochul has stated that New York State Department of Health (NYDOH) will appeal the decision immediately. If an appeal occurs, a "stay" will be placed on the mask mandate, which means the mandate to mask in schools will remain in place until a higher court rules on the appeal.
On January 24, 2022 around 8:19PM, all New York State School Districts received the follow information from the New York State Education Department (NYSED):
“The State Education Department understands that Nassau County Supreme Court has ruled that the Department of Health exceeded its authority in enacting the mask regulation, 10 NYCRR 2.60, in Demetriou et al. v. New York State Dep’t of Health et al. This regulation is the subject of conflicting decisions, insofar as Albany County Supreme Court recently upheld the regulation in Massapequa UFSD et al. v. Hochul, et al.
It is SED’s understanding that the Department of Health will appeal the Nassau County Supreme Court decision, which will result in an automatic stay that will unambiguously restore the mask rule until such time as an appellate court issue a further ruling. Therefore, schools must continue to follow the mask rule.”
Response from the Watkins Glen Central School District:
NYSED oversees the Watkins Glen Central School District, and we must follow their direction on this topic until we are directed otherwise. Depending on where you stand on this issue, you are either happy, disappointed, or somewhere in between.
Again, I ask for patience and positivity as we wait and see how this decision will impact the students and staff of the Watkins Glen Central School District. Your cooperation and understanding are appreciated as we work through this together.
I expect that there will be more information released on this topic throughout the day as legal teams weigh in across New York State. I will keep you up to date as the situation evolves.
Stay warm. Say safe. Stay together. Go Senecas!
Respectfully,
Kai D'Alleva
Watkins Glen Central School District
Superintendent of Schools