Buffalo, NY (WBEN) As New York contemplates abiding by the CDC's new social distancing guidelines, most school districts are being guarded in their comments, awaiting formal guidance before they determine what their social distancing and any full reopening plans will be.
But if New York State offers the chance, Niagara County leaders say they'll green light any district ready to fully reopen.
New CDC guidelines allow for schools to reopen with three feet of social distancing along with other criteria. "For the longest time during this pandemic, all directives came from Governor Cuomo with no discretion for local health departments," says Legislature Chairwoman Becky Wydysh. "That has been changing and if we can confirm that the decision to adopt the new CDC guidelines is our call, then we are going to greenlight school districts to move forward to reopen."
[shortcode-inline-related expand="1" link="/wben/news/local/ny-reviewing-social-distancing-in-schools" headline="New York "expeditiously" reviewing social distancing in schools" image="/media-library/image.jpg?id=63646837"]Niagara County Health Director Dan Stapleton says he has received many phone calls from superintendents, parents and teachers asking about the change in social distance guidelines and what that means for fully opening schools. "I think most of the superintendents I've spoken to believe if they have more space, and cut the guidelines from six feet to three feet they can reopen. But it's a decision the district will make, not the Niagara County Department of Health," explains Stapleton.
Stapleton says his department abides by the state's guidelines. "This one roadblock of six feet to three feet, the CDC approved it, we're hoping the state approves it, and we hope this happens quickly so kids can get back to school," says Stapleton. "There are other criteria that must be met including plexiglass, to keep children and other adults safe, masks."
Stapleton has this message for the state. "Please adopt it soon, and then, as long as superintendents can decide if they can meet those requirements, as long as they can, it's their decision to reopen the schools," adds Stapleton.
