BUFFALO (WBEN) - A small rally was held on Walden Avenue just across from the Galleria Monday afternoon to protest the current masking requirements in schools.
The protest stems from the story out of the Pioneer District, where masks have been optional for the past couple weeks. However, with just a few days left in the school year, Superintendent Ben Halsey reversed the protocol, again requiring those in buildings to wear masks after he was notified that the district could be fined or lose aide if they didn't abide by state standards.
Here is the text of Superintendent Ben Halsey's automated phone call to the district on Friday, June 18, at 4:30 p.m.:
Good afternoon, Pioneer, this is Superintendent Halsey. On Thursday, June 17, I was notified by the state Education Department that Gov. Cuomo's Executive Order no. 202.6 required the district's adherence to Department of Health-issued guidance and directives, and that such requirements and directives are still in effect. I was further notified that the state and county departments of health will be imposing fines, and withhold the district's state aid, or even close our school for non-compliance, by following the anticipated state Department of Health guidance that was not implemented.
Both I and the Board of Education firmly believe that we make decisions for the betterment of our school. Neither I or the board, however, will risk state aid, or the ability to keep our school open or the district's financial resources, when there is a total of 2-1/2 days of school remaining in the school year.
The priority has been, and will always be, the safety and security of our students, our staff and our community. With the board's unanimous support, the district's decision and response to the original Department of Health Commissioner Zucker's letter was in the best interest of our school and community. Our request for the basis of the reasons why Commission Zucker's change was not implemented has gone unanswered by the State of New York.
However, we cannot take the risk for 2-1/2 days of instruction. Therefore, we are switching to a hybrid model of instruction beginning Monday, June 21, for all students pre-K through 12. Attendance for our students is only for those students needing to take an assessment or exam, complete unfinished work, turn in devices or other materials, or to gather belongings. Faculty and staff will be working at their normal assignments and schedule, and buses will be running for those needing a ride. However, you only need to attend school in our hybrid model for the reasons just stated.
Importantly, please note that if you come to school, we ask that you follow the masking protocols previously in place.
Those at the protest were partially there in support of Halsey, and partially there to protest against the state's masking requirements for students in schools.
"We're here just trying to raise awareness within the community about what's happening with masking of children in schools," said one attendee. "Now that we're at one of the lowest positivity rates and case rates for COVID ever, and particularly across the nation, it doesn't make any sense to mask up children, especially in the hot weather."
"We're trying to get the masks off our kids and make sure that we have the choice whether to vaccinate them or not," said Carrie Krull, a parent within the Pioneer School District.
Tarynn Booker of Unmask NY Kids joined Tom Bauerle Monday afternoon, and she explained the impetus for the gathering.
"Over the weekend, our group got together, and we decided that we were going to put on a rally of support for Pioneer and Ben Halsey because he had the guts to stand up and do what no other superintendent in this area did," said Booker.
This rally took place on the same day that a judge denied a temporary restraining order request to keep Lancaster Schools from requiring students to wear masks, as parents of two children filed suit after having respiratory issues.
