Mask Mandate Lifted in Rye Schools

Early Tuesday morning the Rye City School District announced the mask mandate for schools has been lifted. Effective immediately, mask wearing is optional.

The decision is based on a court decision handed down Monday evening. In contrast to the Rye district decision, the State Education Department said Monday evening, after the court decision in Nassau, that “schools must continue to follow the mask rule”.

This is a developing story, please check back.

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State Education Department Monday evening:

“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.”

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Rye City School District Tuesday morning:

From: Eric Byrne
Date: Tue, Jan 25, 2022 at 8:29 AM
Subject: Important Update Regarding New York State Mask Mandate
To: Rye City School District Recipients

Dear RCSD Community,

Last night a Nassau County Supreme Court Judge issued a decision that school districts are no longer authorized to require the wearing of masks. The Rye City School District adheres to all New York State laws and regulations pertaining to public schools. Therefore, effective today, mask-wearing is optional. Students and staff may continue to wear a mask should they so desire.

Please be advised that this guidance is expected to change again, and it may change again quickly. The NYS Attorney General filed an appeal late last night on behalf of Governor Hochul and Commissioner Bassett. We are awaiting a determination about whether the appeal will automatically stay the Court’s decision and reinstate the indoor mask requirement in public schools.

In a statement issued last night, the New York State Commissioner of Education advised school districts to continue to require masks in schools in anticipation of a stay of this order. However, the District will adhere to the court’s decision, and mask-wearing will not be required in our schools unless a stay is issued on the court’s decision.

Decisions about masking rest with each family. It is important for all of us to be respectful of individual decisions. Please understand that we will continue to monitor this evolving situation to alert you to any changes.

Sincerely,
Eric Byrne, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools