Sayville Board Of Ed Says It Opposes School Vaccine Requirement

The Sayville Public Schools Board of Education this week sent a letter to the state opposing a new law that eliminates religious exemptions for vaccinations for students.

In the letter to Regents Vice Chancellor T. Andrew Brown, the board said children may be denied public education and services because of the new law.

"While the Sayville Board of Education recognizes its obligation to follow the current laws of New York State, members of our community believe this law is unconstitutional and discriminatory," the board said in the letter. "In following the law, we may be forced to exclude our children who attended our schools with religious exemptions. We strongly object to excluding such students. We also recognize this law puts our district at risk of a lawsuit being filed against us."

On June 13, New York became the fifth state to eliminate non-medical exemptions to vaccinations—a move prompted by a measles outbreak in the state.

According to the state, about 26,000 New York children will be impacted by the law.

Parents—including parents in Sayville have expressed concerns.

"These parents and students have expressed the harmful impact this will have on them," the board said in the letter. "We support all of the children of our district and their religious and medical freedom. We strongly object to this law."