Dear Freeport Families,
Freeport Public Schools has been made aware of a Nassau County Supreme Court decision dated January 24, 2022 regarding the legality of the NYS mask mandate. 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.
We have been notified by the New York State Education Department 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. Freeport Public Schools will continue to follow the mask mandate.
Freeport Public Schools continues to put the health and safety of our students and staff as our highest priority. Stay safe and be healthy.
Regards,
Dr. Kishore Kuncham
Superintendent of Schools