Superintendent and Board of Education challenge continued mask requirement

In a letter dated Monday, June 14, Superintendent of Schools Patrick McCabe and Akron Central Board of Education President James Grant sent a letter to Governor Cuomo asking for all mask mandates for students be removed.’

“As you know, school districts continue to work diligently to provide optimal learning environments for all children while complying with all NYSDOH and NYSED guidelines for in-person instruction. As we draw closer to the end of the 2020- 2021 school year, we are asking you to exercise the same degree of compassion and care for our students as you have in the past,” the letter states.  “The Akron Central School District is respectfully requesting that you repeal all mandatory mask wearing requirements for in-person learning at the conclusion of the 2020-2021 school year.”

The letter noted that moving forward, for indoor settings, masks could be strongly encouraged, but not required.  “The risk for COVID-19 transmission in our area is at an all time low with a 7 day rolling average of 11 positive cases per 100,000 people. At the same time, the percentage of vaccinated people has reached 69.9% and is likely to surpass the 70% milestone when, by your account, ‘we will be back to life as normal.’ Yet, for reasons not supported by any scientific data, school age children will still be required to wear masks indoors despite the numerous safety protocols we continue to have in place to safeguard their well being and mitigate the spread of the virus.”

“As you stated on June 7, 2021, ‘The numbers show that the risk of transmission by children is extremely low, especially in this state, which has an extremely low positivity rate.’”

“In response to learning loss and the need to address the social/emotional effects of the pandemic, our District is seeking to dramatically expand summer learning opportunities for all students in grades K-12. In addition, we are planning for the full return of students this September. At the same time, parent outcry for an end to mandatory mask wearing intensifies daily with some parents considering keeping their children home rather than have them wear masks throughout the summer and next year. Our data clearly demonstrates that students need to be back with us and they cannot afford to attend school in a remote model any longer. We respectfully request you to revoke all mask mandates for students and staff so that we can focus on the critical work of closing achievement gaps, promoting social and emotional health, and the restoration of our classrooms and school buildings to places where children long to be.”

A preliminary draft of the letter was shared during the Board of Education meeting on June 9, as well as the timetable of requests made for clarification on the mask mandates from New York State to the CDC and the mandate updates issued by New York State.

Several parents challenged Board members to take action to lift the mask mandate regardless of State mandates, during an extended time for public comment at the June 9 meeting.  At times, parents pushed for Board action by calling them names, and suggesting they were weak.  Board President Grant told parents that the number one priority of the Board is the health and well-being of children under guidance from the State and CDC.  Tension escalating in the room caused some unknown person to contact police who remained in the parking lot and were not needed, as the conversation ended without incident.

On Tuesday, June 15, Governor Cuomo lifted mask and other mandates across the state, with the exception of in schools, transportation, and health facilities.

Superintendent McCabe indicated that the District is preparing for Akron Central to open fully in September for five day a week in-school instruction and expressed hope there will be an adjustment in protocols to help in that planning.

During the business portion of the meeting, Board members approved tenure for Danielle Dembrow in the mathematics tenure area, Lauren Demmin in the Foreign Language tenure area, Caitlin Durkin in the Special Education tenure area, and Kareen Saeli in the Business and Marketing tenure area.

Board members create a full-time Health position effective September 1, 2021; appointed Kathryn Welnowski to a Work Based Learning Assistant position effective September 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022.  Summer 2021 curriculum work was approved for a number of staff members across grade levels and subjects.

The retirement letter of resignation was accepted from bus driver, Lois webster effective June 30, 2021.  A leave of absence was approved for bus driver, Angel Stuber beginning May 19.

Hours for food service staff for the 2021-2022 school year were approved; summer school appointments for nurses were amended.

Extra-curricular appointments for 2021-2022 were approved for: Brendan Bardo – Jazz Ensemble/Big Band, Junior High Jazz Band; Kimberly Bowen – Care Team Coordinator HS, Student Council Advisor 50%; Molly Bilinski – Care Team Coordinator MS 50%; Bernadette Chunco – Senior Class Advisor; Joan Collis – Student Council Advisor 50%; Jill Cornell-Slater – Photography Club (up to 30 hours), High School Yearbook Coordinator 50%; Lauren Demmin – Spanish Club Advisor (MS) (up to 30 hours); Jason Dobrick – MS Technology Club (up to 40 hours); Lacey Gennamore – Middle School Government; Jessica Heimiller – Junior Class Advisor and Spanish Club Advisor (HS) (up to 30 hours); Denise Johnson – Biology Club (up to 30 hours); Debra Komosinski – Marching Band Assistant #1; Heather Mann-Everett – Care Team Coordinator MS 50%; Matthew McHale – Gay-Straight Alliance Advisor (up to 30 hours); Robert Meek – Chess Club  Advisor (up to 30 hours); David Meli – Scholastic Bowl Advisor (up to 30 hours); Karen Muscarella – Biology Club (MS) (up to 30 hours); Christina O’Malley – Interact Club Advisor and MS Technology Club (up to 40 hours); Melissa Quinines – High School Yearbook Coordinator 50%; James H. Ritchie – Outdoor Education Club (for up to 30 hours); Christopher Taylor – Pit music; Laura Taylor – Costumes.

Board members set their 2021 Annual Organizational Meeting for Thursday, July 15 at 7:00 p.m. in the High School Cafeteria and created a full-time, twelve-month, Director of Interscholastic Athletics, Physical Education and Health/Wellness position, effective July 1, 2021.  Native American Impact Aid IPPs were approved, Contract services for Building and Grounds were approved for Elwood Fire Protection for Fire Extinguishers/Suppression, Davis Ulmer – Sprinklers and Backflows, Fire Safety Fire/Security Monitoring, Inspection of Fire Alarm System, Bison Elevator – Elevator Maintenance, Emergency Power Systems – Emergency Generators, Eco Serve – IPM.

Participation in the Erie County Department of Public Works 2021-2022 was approved.