White Plains Schools To Continue Indoor Masking

WHITE PLAINS, NY — Students and staff in the White Plains school district will continue to wear masks while indoors, in spite of a state Supreme Court ruling invalidating Gov. Kathy Hochul's mandate.

In a letter to the community, Superintendent Joseph Ricca said the state Education Department advised schools that an appeal by the Department of Health of the Nassau County Supreme Court ruling triggered an automatic stay that will be in effect until the appellate court hears the state's appeal.

"What does this mean for us?" he said. "While we recognize that many community members have different thoughts and feelings regarding masking in schools, and we truly understand and respect these various personal positions, the State's appeal effectively maintains the State's masking policy, for the moment."

Ricca said, accordingly, masks will be required within the district's school facilities and on school transportation.

"Please be advised that this guidance may/will change again quickly," he said. "A change in masking requirements in schools could happen at any time."

According to Monday's decision by Judge Thomas Rademaker, the law was "promulgated and enacted unlawfully by an executive branch state agency and therefore void and unenforceable as a matter of law."

The decision also said that it does not "opine on the efficacy, need or requirement of masks as a means or tool in dealing with the COVID-19 virus." The issue is only whether or not the rule was properly enacted, the decision said.

Ricca said the district will continue to monitor the evolving situation and alert the public to any changes to the decision.