Williamsville, NY (WBEN) A local private school's representatives head to court Tuesday to challenge the New York State mask mandate for schools.
Christian Central Academy in Williamsville is seeking a temporary injunction against requiring masks in school.
Director of Advancement Michael O'Hara says the policy is not anti-mask at the school, rather mask optional or parent choice. "The state of New York had certain guidelines regarding COVID, and we went by those guidelines preparing for school," says O'Hara. He says the school invested in more teachers and more room, so kids could be separated by six feet and allow for masks to be optional.
O'Hara says the school spent roughly $47,000 on air filtration systems as well. "It's an investment we wanted to make to ensure the safety of our kids in our classroom," says O'Hara. "In 9 minutes, the system will scrub the cubic air in our classrooms." He says the state called for layered measures in preventing COVID, so the school is also doing medical screening and temperature checks.
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O'Hara says right now, parents who had come to the school because of the mask optional policy are cooperating. "I have been pleasantly surprised that our student body has been compliant until we get the injunction," says O'Hara.
Attorney Todd Aldinger said last week this school is a private school that can only be regulated by the legislature. "There has been no statute, the legislature has taken no vote. All we're seeing in the executive branch pushing through regulations at the eleventh hour before the school year starts," remarked Aldinger.
The hearing is scheduled for Tuesday.
