Rockland Fines Yeshivas Over Measles Outbreak Orders

NEW CITY, NY – Nine yeshivas that had not complied with Rockland County’s orders during the measles outbreak were fined Wednesday at a public hearing by the Board of Health. The schools did not stop un- or under-vaccinated students from coming to school or provide vaccination and attendance records and updates to the county Department of Health.

There are 96 confirmed cases of measles in this Rockland outbreak, and health officials are monitoring another three suspected cases.

The fines total more than $70,000, with one school coming in for more than a third.

County Executive Ed Day and County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert announced that all nine schools are now in compliance with the Health Commissioner’s order.

Eight of the schools signed stipulations before today’s hearings and were given reduced fines, equal to 10 percent of their original fine.

The ninth school, Ateres Bnos, did not agree to the stipulations and was fined as listed below during the hearing.

“During a public health crisis, we expect everyone to comply with the Health Commissioner’s orders,” Day said in the announcement. “These regulations are designed to protect public health for the entire community and while the majority of schools have complied we will not allow anyone to put children’s lives at risk. We will grant no quarter in protection of the health of this County.”

The schools and their fines are:

• $5,750 - The Skill Building Center
• $5,950 - Bais Chana Malka
• $5,950 - Avir Yakov (Boys and Girls)
• $6,950 - Yeshiva Ohr Torah
• $6,950 - Yeshiva Tzoin Yosef Pupa (Boys)
• $6,950 - Yeshiva Tzoin Yosef Pupa (Girls)
• $6,950 - Bnei Yakov Yosef
• $24,750 - Ateres Bnos (two locations)

The Rockland County Law Department assisted RCDOH in issuing the Commissioner’s orders and trying the cases during these hearings.

“All but one school saw that compliance was the right thing to do before the need for a formal hearing,” said County Attorney Tom Humbach. “It is the intention of these fines to deter others from ignoring the orders of the Health Commissioner. One school chose to test the system; the result was a $24,750 fine. This was not the maximum fine, but the best kind of justice is justice tempered by mercy as they did ultimately comply.”

The expanded health department order Nov. 15 required un- and under-vaccinated students be kept home from schools where the vaccination rate is under 80 percent. The stay-at-home part of Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert's order covered all schools within the Village of New Square, and any school in Spring Valley and Monsey (the geographical area affected by the measles outbreak) where fewer than 80 percent of students are vaccinated.

In addition, the order required all affected schools to share their students' immunization records with the county health department, as provided under state law.

SEE:

• Measles Outbreak: 20 Cases; Unvaccinated Kids Must Stay Home
• Measles Outbreak Worsens; More Restrictions In Rockland
• Outbreak: Nine Rockland Yeshivas Face Fines