School superintendents want to know what data the Governor’s office will use to relax the mask mandate for students and staff.
Cobleskill-Richmondville Superintendent Carl Mummenthey said he’ll join 23 other superintendents in Capital Region BOCES in signing a letter pressing Albany for an answer.
Mr. Mummenthey made the announcement at last Monday’s school board meeting and drew applause from about 20 parents, many of them protesting the mask mandate.
The letter “is on exit strategy for masking––when and by what metric,” Mr. Mummenthey said.
Although the future status of COVID is unclear–-especially with the new variant––knowing what measurements the state will use on masking would be beneficial, Mr. Mummenthey said later.
Albany imposed the school mask mandate earlier this year and last week, the state Department of Health extended it for 90 more days.
“They must use some sort of metrics because they have confidence in the mandate and then extending it,” Mr. Mummenthey said.
The letter won’t advocate for ending the mandate but will seek to know what guidelines or data the Governor’s office will use to relax the mandate.
“They must have internal benchmarks. What’s their thinking?” Mr. Mummenthey asked.
“It would help schools to know, and it would help parents, staff and students.”
At earlier school board meetings, parents pressed the board and Mr. Mummenthey to lobby Albany to end or relax the school mask mandate.
Parents continued their case last Monday, but one speaker praised C-R for following the state and CDC mandates and guidelines.
Dawn Kaminsky, an elementary teacher, said C-R is simply following what medical experts advise.
She believes in masks and vaccinations and said more than 80 percent of the C-R staff is vaccinated.
And, Ms. Kaminsky added, “not one student said they hated masks.
“It isn’t fun. We’d like to take them off, but we’re not there yet. Data supports mask-wearing.”
Several parents at the meeting disagreed.
Jessica Lawton said “a lot of kids mind masks” and that the school appears to be promoting vaccinations.
“All we’re asking for is flexibility,” Ms. Lawton said. “I feel there’s room for movement, and nobody’s taking it.”
“If you don’t want to wear a mask, you shouldn’t be forced to,” another parent said.
Jenna Malette agreed, adding that there should be a choice about mask-wearing.
“We’re asking you to fight for us,” Ms. Malette said. “Fight for choice. It’s okay if others want their kids to wear masks.
“Will you pick sides?”
Elyssa Herzog also spoke about comments she made at the November 8 school board meeting. Then, she threatened to go after board members if her child were vaccinated. Last Monday, Ms. Herzog apologized to the board.