UPDATED-- ABOUT THOSE MASKS--UPDATED: GOV APPEALING COURT DECISION STRIKING DOWN HER MASKS MANDATE---I WANT MASKS, APPLYING FOR COURT ORDERED STAY, YOU WILL KEEP WEARING THEM--NEWS 12, UPDATED, SCHOOLS GRAPPLE , MORE L.I. SCHOOLS SAYS MASKS ARE OPTIONAL, CROTON HARMON KEEPS THE MASKS HOWEVER

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UPDATED: GOV GOING TO COURT, MIXED REPORTS, OR FRIDAY, NEXT TUESDAY FOR HEARING https://westchester.news12.com/state-judge-grants-temporary-stay-for-indoor-mask-mandate

UPDATED: GOV APPEALING COURT DECISION---I WANT MASKS, APPLYING FOR COURT ORDERED STAY, YOU WILL KEEP WEARING THEM--NEWS 12 https://westchester.news12.com/is-new-yorks-mask-mandate-coming-to-an-end

NEW UPDATED CLIP https://westchester.news12.com/hudson-valley-educators-grapple-with-mask-mandates-in-schools

Here's the original judge's order/decision citing the masks as "unlawful" FROM THE NEW YORK POST https://nypost.com/2022/01/24/long-island-judge-throws-out-hochuls-mask-mandate/

AND FROM NEWSDAY HERE.

AND FROM LOHUD  https://www.lohud.com/story/news/education/2022/01/24/judge-strikes-down-new-york-mask-mandate/9205840002/

More Long Island schools says masks are now optional  https://www.newsday.com/news/health/coronavirus/li-school-district-masks-optional-1.50487062#utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Breaking-News&lctg=3eeac1de040e373d69afd5f54bd05c5902ddb15174f7cb380508ee9a28bcd097&utm_term=non

BUT CROTON HARMON SAYS MASKS REMAIN:

Dear Tiger Students, Staff Members, and Families:

Last night, we were made aware that a State Supreme Court justice ruled that the Governor and State Department of Health do not have the legal authority to mandate masks to be worn in schools. After receiving word of that legal decision, school districts received the following communication from the State Education Department:

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 issues a further ruling. Therefore, schools must continue to follow the mask rule.

Our schools will abide by the directive from the State Education Department that masks remain mandated for all students, staff members, and visitors.  We anticipate that there will be further information from the State Education Department on this topic in the near future, and we will share with you the updates that we receive.

With Tiger Pride,
Stephen Walker
Superintendent of Schools