The Pine Bush Central School District and Valley Central School District Board of Education meetings were filled with conversations last week as concerned parents, community members and district officials weighed in as mask mandate concerns continue to be at the forefront for school districts across New York.

“One of the things that we need to consider on a daily basis is that our school district is required to follow state laws and regulations,” said Pine Bush Central School District Interim Superintendent of Schools Donna Geidel. “That being said, the Board of Education and I fully recognize that differing perspectives on mask wearing exist within our school community and our nation. Neither perspective is wrong. However, it’s important for everybody to acknowledge that some parents and staff feel that not wearing a mask is an acceptable risk while others feel that wearing the mask is a simple and effective mitigation strategy.”

Geidel explained that she, along with the Board of Education, understands that the mandatory mask wearing has had a negative impact on many students. She went on to say the district is hopeful that New York State Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Department of Health will recognize that the cases in the community and schools have lessened and respond by ending the mask mandate in schools. Geidel shared that she attended a Zoom meeting earlier in the week with Senator Mike Martucci and Senator James Skoufis through the Orange County School Boards Association to advocate for local scholars and educators. The discussion went well and the message was loud and clear what local schools want in place.

“We had representation from every district in the county and let me tell you what our message was to our senators. It was very clear. It is time for parent choice when it comes to masks in school. During the Zoom meeting, it was also requested the Governor and the Health Commissioner provide reasonable, achievable metrics based on regional positivity rates and not tied to vaccination status,” Geidel shared.

In addition, Geidel spoke about the difficult part for school districts when information is given on a Friday evening and districts are expected to get the message out in a timely fashion. “So we made it clear to them that they have damaged the trust between school members and superintendents and our school board and parents. We have no control over when they make these announcements, but we did make it very clear in this instance that we cannot abide by that anymore,” she said.

After working with Senator Martucci and Senator Skoufis, Geidel said change is not expected for another few weeks which is frustrating for all parties involved at the district level.

Pine Bush Board of Education President Gretchen Meier thanked families and staff for their continued patience and respecting the people that may have a differing view than they have. “We have a lot of passionate community members that come to these meetings to share their frustrations with the continued mask mandate. We have an equal number of families that don’t want the mask mandate lifted. So even when the mask mandate is lifted masks will still be optional and I would like to urge people to teach your children to respect the kids that may still be wearing a mask because that’s going to be their choice just the same as it will be the choice of the people who don’t want to wear the mask and that’s a very important lesson here,” she said.

Meier encouraged families to show up, write letters, make phone calls and contact their local political leaders, “That’s how change happens and we’re doing everything we can from here.”

Valley Central School District officials, parents and community members echoed the cries and frustration of their counterparts in Pine Bush. Superintendent of Schools John Xanthis shared a letter from area superintendents to the New York State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Mary Bassett with those in attendance. The major concern being ongoing mandatory masking and protocols. The letter requested clear guidance and achievable metrics for districts. “I know people are as frustrated as we are with the masks and we’re hoping for some relief. We’re still hopeful,” he shared.

“I’ll just say it’s been a long road. We’ve had suffering with all of the different mandates and I think we’re all tired and ready for this change,” said Valley Central Board Member Diana Revoir.

On the February 14 agenda, the Valley Central School District voted to approve a resolution to modify the Reopening Plan developed by the District. By adopting the resolution, the Valley Central Board of Education authorized the Superintendent of Schools to modify the District’s Reopening Plan to state that masks will only be mandated if there is a legal requirement in place at the time.