BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) – The President of the Erie Niagara Superintendent's Association believes New York State should come up with contingency guidance for the 2021-2022 school year.
"Right now, rates are very low, hospitalizations are very low, and vaccination rates are very high," Michael Cornell, who is also Superintendent of Hamburg Schools, said. "I think it might make sense for the state to consider the concept of providing contingency plans for the enacting of regional mitigation strategies if hospitalizations hit a certain level, if infection rates hit a certain level, if the pace of vaccinations slow considerably, but only if we got to that point."
Cornell spoke with WBEN shortly after the CDC's updated guidance on masks in schools Friday. Vaccinated teachers and students will no longer need to wear any masks in schools.
"The reopening of school for September 2021 should look a lot like the reopening of school for September 2019," Cornell said. "It seems to me that the CDC is acknowledging the trend around the country and is encouraging school guidance that would reflect that."
Cornell said he plans to review the full CDC draft and said wants to see how New York will convert the CDC guidance into policy. Still, Cornell wants the state to confirm guidance as early as possible to help districts prepare for the upcoming school year.
