YORKSHIRE, N.Y. (WKBW) — Despite New York State announcing schools can be mask optional outside, the superintendent of the Pioneer School District says his district will be fully mask optional.
"We've been held to a pretty high standard here in public schools, and we've done it well. And we've got ourselves where we're to a safe environment to be able to do this," said Pioneer CSD Superintendent Ben Halsey.
He says he's only received positive feedback from parents.
"He was really excited when we got the call, yesterday. He was like 'Mom, we don't have to wear masks anymore!'" said Malinda Walker. She has three students in the Pioneer CSD.
"The masks are getting old. We just need to breathe, see each others faces, interact. So, we were totally fine with it. The kids were totally fine with it," explained Michele Kolasny.
This new mask policy for the school district in Yorkshire is already in place. It started Monday.
Despite what Governor Cuomo said about students still needing to wear masks, Halsey says masks will only be optional in his schools.
"There are those they actually have the authority to have Pioneer go in different direction, if he would like to speak with me, I would love to have that personal conversation," said Halsey.
