New York State officials say they won't be issuing school reopening guidelines this year, with kids set to return to class next month. A spokesperson for the governor says this is based on the COVID-19 state of emergency having been lifted.
Some local counties and school districts had recently penned letters to Governor Cuomo, asking for guidance. Prior to last year's reopening every school district was required to submit a detailed plan to the state. That won't be the case this year.
The Monroe County Council of School Superintendents has confirmed that the state won't issue guidelines as it did last year. The superintendent's council says local districts are now on their own to work with local health departments and officials on whether to mask or not or require vaccinations or not. The council says local school districts remain committed to five days a week in school and in-person learning