To the editor:

This letter was sent to Assemblywoman Gunther and Senator Martucci by BOCES Superintendent Dr. Robert Dufouron February 17.

On behalf of the central school district of Eldred, Fallsburg, Liberty, Livingston Manor, Monticello, Roscoe, Sullivan West, and Tri-Valley thank you for taking the time to meet with us today to discuss our concerns with regards to the proposed state budget for 2022-2023 and other pertinent topics. As requested, the following is a summary of our requests regarding masking in schools.

• We are requesting that clear and concise guidance, as well as a defined timeline, be given for the proposed end to the mask mandate. Unfortunately, “after winter break” does not apply to most upstate schools, as we typically do not hold a winter break in February or March.
• We are also requesting clear and concise guidance on how an end to mask mandates in schools will affect Contact Tracing, TTS, and the weekly testing of unvaccinated employees. Removing the requirement for masks inevitably negates the need for these testing mandates as we will be moving from a contained environment to a communal universal risk level.

We appreciate your time and your support in addressing our concerns. Thank you again.