BUFFALO (WBEN) - According to New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker, the state will not issue COVID-19 guidance for schools prior to the beginning of the school year.
Zucker released a statement Thursday afternoon:
"With the end of the state disaster emergency on June 25, 2021, school districts are reestablished as the controlling entity for schools. Schools and school districts should develop plans to open in-person in the fall as safely as possible, and I recommend following guidance from the CDC and local health departments."
Superintendents have been calling on guidance or information from the state for months, and there's still confusion as to why this announcement is coming out just one month before the return to school in September.
In a statement obtained by Channel 7, the Erie County Department of Health said they were operating under the assumption that guidance from the state was forthcoming.
"Given this news, our office of epidemiology and school team are reviewing existing school guidance from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics, along with lessons that our department has learned throughout this pandemic."
The Williamsville Central School District released the following statement:
“The District was informed last night that the New York State Department of Health will not be providing health and safety guidance for schools operating during the COVID-19 pandemic for the 2021-2022 academic year. We will continue to plan and prepare for the upcoming school year using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in K-12 Schools and the American Academy of Pediatrics COVID-19 Guidance for Safe Schools as a basis for creating an educational environment that is as healthy and safe as possible for all of our students and faculty and staff.”
A spokesperson from the Buffalo School District said Superintendent Dr. Kriner Cash will have a community-wide statement by Monday evening.