Akron Central joins other districts in asking Governor to change COVID-related restrictions

Akron Central School Board members expressed support of the Erie-Niagara School Superintendent’s Association request to New York Governor Hochul “to move schools from the emergency phase of COVID-19 to a new phase when the presence of a virus no longer disrupts the normal operations of our schools,” during their Board meeting on February 9.

Akron Superintendent of Schools Patrick McCabe shared the E-NSSA statement with Board of Education members noting that Hochul’s extension of the in-school mask mandate beyond its expiration date was disappointing.  “It is time to move from emergency status,” McCabe said, “and we urge an end to the mask mandate.”

He shared concern over the level of input Superintendents are having relative to the state response to requirements in schools, noticed that while Hochul held a ZOOM meeting which included some Superintendent of Schools and PTA representatives, the time allowed for an exchange of ideas was limited.

He also raised concern over the Governor’s metrics for ultimately letting the in-school mandate expire which include: Cases per 100,000, Percent Positivity, Hospital Admissions, Pediatric Hospitalizations, Vaccinations, and Global Trends, noting it is distressful that the metrics do not include school transmission rates.

The full E-NSSA statement states”

“Today, Governor Hochul announced that she does not intend to allow the universal mask mandate in schools to expire on February 21st. The Erie Niagara School Superintendents Association has advocated for the expiration of the mask mandate on that date. Over the course of the last two years of this pandemic, school superintendents, in collaboration with our Boards of Education, have done everything we can to hold our school communities together in the face of a disease that disrupted daily life in nearly every possible way, and have done so in spite of federal, state and local policies that have sometimes resulted in confusion and frustration.

We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding as we support each other through this difficult period without causing further strain in the relationships between communities and their schools. School aged populations have experienced the mildest health-related symptoms associated with COVID-19, yet they have also suffered the most under the weight of COVID-related restrictions and requirements. It is time to move schools from the emergency phase of COVID-19 to a new phase when the presence of a virus no longer disrupts the normal operations of our schools.”

“We appreciate the efforts you and your peers are making,” Akron Board of Education President Jim Grant said noting support of the E-NSSA statement.

Two parents brought concerns to the Board relative to masks and vaccinations.

One parent shared his belief that children have been lost in this pandemic and that he respects his sons’ position that they do not want to wear masks.  “I respect my sons’ right to peacefully protest.”

One parent noted that her daughter has shared it would be “amazing to go without a mask,” but is willing to wear a mask to be able to stay in class.  “They are easily brain washed,” the mom noted, “They are treated like vectors of disease.”  “We are failing our kids, stop putting pressure on children to protect adults,” she noted in asking the Board to advocate for children.

McCabe reported on the “Test to Stay” program in the district.  He told the Board that the previous week there were 41 tests administered with all having “negative” results.

Under updates from the Department of Health, students who may stay in school can now participate in extra curricular activities although they may not participate with another school.

In the First week of February there was one positive case in the Elementary, 3 in the Middle School and none in the High School or among Staff.