Central Valley CSD students, staff, and visitors must continue wearing masks in school as required by the New York State Education Department.  Please read the following statement from Central Valley school attorney Ferrara Fiorenza PC.

We are aware of Judge Rademaker’s decision, which comes from the Nassau County Supreme Court.  We also understand from the State Education Department that the State of New York shall seek an appeal of the decision and seek a stay regarding the enforcement of the same. As a result, the State Education Department has stated that schools are required to continue to require the use of masks pending the final adjudication of the litigation, as per the email below:

"The State Education Department understands that Nassau County Supreme Court has ruled that the Department of Health exceeded its authority in enacting the mask regulation, 10 NYCRR 2.60, in Demetriou et al. v. New York State Dep’t of Health et al.  This regulation is the subject of conflicting decisions, insofar as Albany County Supreme Court recently upheld the regulation in Massapequa UFSD et al. v. Hochul, et al. It is SED’s understanding that the Department of Health will appeal the Nassau County Supreme Court decision, which will result in an automatic stay that will unambiguously restore the mask rule until such time as an appellate court issues a further ruling.  Therefore, schools must continue to follow the mask rule."

Accordingly, the District shall continue to require all students and staff to wear masks for the health and safety of our community and in accordance with the recommendation of the New York State Department and County Departments of Health and Center for Disease Control. 

We will continue to work with legal counsel to ascertain the implications of this litigation and any appeals for our District. In the meantime, please maintain patience as we, just like many of you, would like to see the least restrictive and safe environment for our students and staff. Thank you and have a great day!!