Dear Byron-Bergen Families,

 

Late Monday afternoon there was a ruling from the Nassau County Supreme Court finding Governor Hochul's mask mandate in schools an overreach and illegal.  This information and ruling has caused quite a stir among school communities in NYS.  Monday evening, Superintendents received the following notification on this ruling.  

 

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.

 

I understand that mask mandates are a contentious issue and we will do our best to convey information to you in a timely manner.

 

Patrick McGee

Superintendent