Buffalo, NY (WBEN) - New York State says the decision on whether or not schools can have in-person learning, even in designated Yellow or Orange zones, isn't up to them, putting them at odds with districts facing more obstacles to keep the doors open.
Schools in Erie County's Yellow Zone have been finding it a challenge to meet the testing requirements set by the state to stay open for in person learning. The state requires any school within a yellow zone to randomly test 20% of their in-person students and staff on a weekly basis. Ken-Ton Schools Superintendent Sabatino Cimato said that testing 20% of only the children who are currently in school would cost about $10,000 per week.
"It's absolutely unsustainable to deliver an in-person program and to spend that much money every month on COVID related expenses," said Niagara Falls School Superintendent Mark Laurrie, who says his district has spent an 'unsustainable' $72,000 a month preparing to test and meeting COVID requirements. "Going in to a Yellow zone will really be detrimental to any school district. I don't see how they can keep in-person learning going just with the cost and the supply chain of tests."
Schools meanwhile, do not appear to be a significant source of spreading the virus.
Why do they face a bigger hurdle to stay open than many other businesses?
"That's a good question for the schools," said Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul on WBEN Thursday.
"This summer, we said in order for any school district to open in September they had to assure the state that they were going to be able to have an arrangement with the local county health department or private provider to provide testing if need be. That was a condition to be able to re-open."
Erie County has said they will not be assisting schools in testing students and staff.
