LI School Boards Head Calls On Blakeman To Withdraw Mask Ruling

BELLMORE, NY — The organization representing school districts on Long Island sent a letter to Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, opposing his decision that puts the mask mandate in the hands of educators.

The Nassau Suffolk School Boards Association said the governance on this matter is clear.

"Nassau County's boards of education are creations of New York State government and not the County of Nassau," President Michael Kelly wrote.

Blakeman said before being sworn in that he would not mandate masks in schools and within days of taking office he made the controversial announcement.

In response, Gov. Kathy Hochul shot back: "Counties have to follow state law."

"Counties have no more authority to direct school board matters than do schools to legislate county affairs," Kelly said.

He calls on Blakeman to withdraw the mask directive.

Patch attempted to speak directly to Kelly, but a spokesperson for the NSSBA said they wouldn't weigh in on the specifics of mask-wearing. They said their main concern is addressing the rule of governing bodies.