Port Jervis Learning Community,
As some may be aware, a New York State Supreme Court Judge in Nassau County issued a ruling on the authority or lack thereof of the Governor and/or NYS Health Commissioner to mandate masks in public places, including schools.
NYS Attorney General James filed a Notice of Appeal late yesterday on behalf of Governor Hochul and Commissioner of Health Bassett. This Notice of Appeal yields a stay, or in other words, hold in place the current orders, until ruled upon in the appeal process. This was further clarified in a statement by NYS Education Department:
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.
Understandably, the media reports and conflicting releases of information, particularly with a topic such as mask mandates, creates confusion and emotion. Please note that our school district, as with all school districts in New York State, is required to follow the mandates from NYS Department of Health and NYS Education Department. Specific to this topic, schools must continue to require masks be worn by all in our schools, pending a ruling in the NYS Appellate Division of the Supreme Court or unless directed otherwise by the Department of Health or Education Department.
We will continue to provide updates on this as things develop.
Thank you for the continued patience and support.
Mike Rydell