The largest school district in Onondaga County will continue to enforce mask rules.

In a letter sent to parents Tuesday, the Syracuse City School District said it would continue to require mask-wearing by anyone who enters its buildings.

"We have been advised by the New York State Education Department that the mask mandate in all schools, including ours, will stay in place in New York until the appeal is heard," the letter read in part.

In a similar move, the Fayetteville-Manlius district is also retaining its mask rules, per a statement from school officials. 

In an effort to enforce its mandates, non-compliant students in the F-M district are not allowed to attend their classes, according to Superintendent Dr. Craig Tice. Instead, school officials say these students are moved to alternate locations in the building where they are supervised with the option of parental pick-up.

The decision in local districts to uphold mask rules comes as a state Supreme Court ruled to overturn mask mandates Monday, citing the order under Gov. Kathy Hochul as unlawful and unenforceable. After an appeal was filed by Attorney General Letitia James, an Appellate Court judge stayed that order, leaving in place the mask mandate, and set a hearing for Friday.

The state Education Department has advised schools to retain the mask mandate as the state attempts to appeal the ruling.

-

Facebook Twitter