Albany, NY (WBEN) - Schools across Western New York have faced a dilemma in getting kids back in the classroom five days a week. While many school administrators say they want to start getting back, the requirements from New York state make it difficult to achieve.
In mid-July of last year, the State Education Department and Department of Health both issued guidance on how schools could safely return, which included the provision of requiring six feet of distance between students and staff. As of now, the only way schools are allowed to remain open is if they continue to ensure that six feet of distance, among other safety protocols.
That could be changing soon.
During a hearing in front of state lawmakers on Thursday, State Health Commissioner Howard Zucker said that guidelines could be revised as soon as next week.
"I know there's some discussion about three feet... we are working on that," Zucker said on Thursday. "We want to get these children back in to school so I hope we can get this done... Let's hope we can figure out something next week. I can't commit to a day."
Zucker said the delay in changing guidance is in part because he has been "distracted" by budget hearings.
For many schools, changing the six-feet rule is a game changer.
"We understand that the rule is six feet. But as public health experts understand more about how the disease spreads, the thinking may change and we would like to participate in that dialogue," said Michael Cornell, President of the Erie Niagara School Superintendent's Association.
Cornell told WBEN the process of bringing kids back to school five days a week can only become a possibility when the State Education Department and Department of Health give them the green light to do that. He is hoping schools will be included in any discussion on the matter, something he said has not happened yet.
