Commack Schools Try To Unmask Students, New York State Intervenes

COMMACK, NY — Commack students will still need to wear masks after the school district previously announced that masks would be optional in classrooms and physical education as long as social distancing was followed. The reversal comes after the state overruled the district's decision on masks, according to the district.

The district said it made the decision earlier this week based on its interpretation of April 9 guidance from the New York State Department of Health, which reads in part: "Six feet of distance is required when eating meals or snacks, or drinking, or other times masks must be removed."

Commack says it has been diligent in maintaining at least 6 feet of distance for all students since the school year began.

"When we explained to the Governor’s office our strictness in keeping students six (6) feet apart since the beginning of the school year, they indicated that didn’t matter and we were directed that masks must be worn at all times," the district wrote on its website.

Superintendent Dr. Donald James informed parents via robocall that Gov. Andrew Cuomo's Office would not allow the district to loosen mask restrictions on students yet, News 12 Long Island reported. The call also shared that state mask inspectors would be sent to make sure the district is following the guidance.

"Clearly, we were continuing our efforts to make changes during the Covid era that support the health, safety, and emotional wellbeing of our students," the Commack School District wrote.

The safety of students and staff, as well as compliance with state and local regulations, remain at the forefront of the district's decision-making, it said. All safety protocols the district implemented earlier in the year remain in place, it added. However, the district will push for parents to have a say in whether their children wear masks to school.

"We will continue to advocate for changes at the State level that allow for parental choice as we work to provide the best possible learning environment for all children," the district stated.

In a statement to Patch, the state health department said there should be no confusion about its guidelines regarding masks in New York schools.

"We specifically require universal masking, consistent with the CDC, in the current iteration of our guidance," the health department said. "There is no ambiguity; masks are required In the Department of Health’s 24-page guidance document, and the use of and importance of masks is referenced 50 times."

In its guidance, the state's health department says a mask is required to be worn by everyone in all classroom and non-classroom settings, including hallways, school offices, restrooms, gyms, auditoriums and more.

The state referred to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance for its own guidelines.

The CDC, in a May 15 update, stated it recommends schools continue to use the current COVID-19 prevention strategies for the rest of the school year. That includes adults and children wearing masks.

The guidance comes as the CDC also stated that those who have been fully vaccinated against the virus do not have to wear a mask or socially distance except when required by local restrictions, businesses or workplaces.

U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-NY) called on politicians to allow children to not have to wear masks in schools.

"As a parent of 14-year-old twin girls in 9th grade, and as a Member of Congress, I can't possibly emphasize this point more emphatically to the liberal Mayors and Governors who are standing very much in the way of a long overdue return to normal for school children: UNMASK OUR KIDS!" Zeldin wrote on Facebook.