Ted Remsnyder is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media mask mandates will stay in place at Greene County schools as the regulation imposed by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul makes its way through the courts. Nassau County Supreme Court Justice Thomas Rademaker on January 24, ruled the governor’s mask mandate to be unconstitutional, but after an appeal by the New York State Department of Health, Appellate Court Judge Robert J. Miller on the next day issued a stay to keep the mask mandate in place while the case is on appeal. The New York State Education Department this week issued guidance to school districts regarding the mask mandate. “...[I]t is NYSED’s position that schools should continue to follow the mask rule.” Catskill Central School District Superintendent Ronel Cook, said in a statement to district parents that the mask mandate would remain in place. “Please know that at this time, all students and staff must continue to wear masks in school,” Cook said. The next hearing in Miller’s courtroom pertaining to the stay will be held on January 28. “I would expect an immediate decision because they know everybody is hanging in the balance,” Greene County Administrator Shaun Groden said. Officials with the Greenville Central School have confirmed that their district will continue to comply with the mask mandate and the Hunter-Tannersville Central School District released a statement drafted by its attorneys regarding the stay. “In light of this ruling, public school districts in New York State remain subject to the Department of Health masking regulation at least through January 28, 2022,” according to the statement. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.